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Field experiments were conducted to study the effects of different ridge-furrow plastic-mulching planting patterns (RFM) on potato (Solanum tuberosum L) growth, tuber yield and quality, and water use efficiency (WUE) in an arid area of Northwestern China in 2010 and 2011.

Six treatments were used: (1) a flat plot without mulch (CK); (2) alternating mulched with plastic film and bare plots with no ridges (MNR); (3) completely mulched alternating wide and narrow ridges with furrow planting (CF); (4) completely mulched alternating wide and narrow ridges with ridge planting (CR); (5) alternating mulched ridges and bare plots with no ridges and with furrow planting (HF); (6) alternating mulched ridges and bare plots with no ridges and with ridge planting (HR).

RFM systems greatly improved tuber yield and WUE of potato in comparsion to CK. Compared to CK, the magnitude of yield in RFM increase were 50.1-86.8% in 2010 and 36.3-60.5% in 2011, respectively. Two completely mulched treatments (CF. CR) produced the highest tuber yield. Compared to CK, the highest increase in WUE was 83.9% (CR) and 65.8% (CF) in 2010 and 2011, respectively. Evapotranspiration in RFM was significantly decreased compared to CK during the early and end growing stages. But ET in CF, CR, HI: and HR became higher at vigorous growth stages (from 6 July to 27 August) due to higher transpiration, which may imply a higher ratio of transpiration/evaporation. CF and CR treatments resulted in higher dry matter and relative growth rate than other treatments, and had higher output efficiency of dry matter from aboveground to tuber. Potato in CR showed the highest tuber yield, output value, net revenue and WUE, produced tubers with good size, low percentages of green and blemished tubers, and high protein content. In conclusion, CR is the best planting pattern for rain-fed potato. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.