The objective of this paper is to clarify the impacts of straw covering method on runoff and soil erosion in summer maize field on the Loess Plateau of China. A field experiment was conducted (2012–2014) in the artificial raining hall of the State Key Laboratory, with three soils and five straw covering methods. Three soils were Heilu soil (Calcisols), Huangmian soil (Fluvisols) and Lou soil (Anthrosols). Five straw covering methods were CK – no straw mulching and no stubble standing on the surface of the plot; T30 – 30 cm of winter wheat (WW) stubble standing above ground; M30 – 30 cm of WW stubble was harvest and mulched on the surface of the plot; M10T20 – 20 cm of WW stubble standing and 10 cm WW straw mulching on the surface of the plot; M20T10 – 10 cm of WW stubble standing and 20 cm of WW straw mulching on the surface of the plot. The results showed that (1) straw covering method not only impacted ITRP (initial time of runoff producing), but also affected runoff volume in summer maize field on the Loess Plateau of China. M10T20 was the best to postpone ITRP and to reduce runoff volume in summer maize field. (2) Different covering methods produced different sediment yield in summer maize field. M30 was the best to reduce soil erosion in summer maize field on the Loess Plateau of China. (3) When one covering method was used to reduce runoff or soil erosion, bulk density and soil mechanical composition (silt content, clay content and sand content) should be considered seriously.
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