[Objective] The influences of different field mulching treatments on soil hydrothermal characteristics and grain yield of spring wheat were studied to provide theoretical basis for the selection of mulching materials and method of soil moisture conservation.[Methods] The experiment had six treatments:traditional flat planting (CK)

three levels of wheat straw(straw mulching quantities were 1 500 kg/hm2 (SW1)

3 000 kg/hm2 (SW2)

and 4 500 kg/hm2 (SW3))

whole field soil-plastic mulching (FT)

and ridges were covered with plastic and the furrows received no mulching (RT).[Results] As compared with CK

RT could advance the seedling emergence

and shorten the growth duration days (103 d). Whereas

SW3 could delay the emergence

postpone the growth duration (124 d). Treatments of FT and RT could increase soil temperature (0-5 cm) and soil water content (0-100 cm) at the seedling stage. The averaged soil temperature increment was 3.97℃ under RT in comparison with that of CK. Treatments of FT and RT could not increase soil temperature (0-5 cm) and soil water content (0-100 cm) remarkably at stages from jointing to maturity. SW1

SW2 and SW3 decreased soil temperature (0-5 cm) and soil water content (0-100 cm) at the seedling stage

whereas increased soil temperature (0-5 cm) and soil water content (0-100 cm) at stages from jointing to maturity. Soil water content was higher under SW3 treatment than those of others. Wheat yields under FT and SW3 treatments were significantly higher than those of other treatments (SW3

FT > SW2 > SW1 > RT > CK). In comparison with the yield of CK

the significant increase under SW3 was 46.23%

water use efficiency increased by 67.67%

and total water consumption decreased by 18.53%.[Conclusion] Soil moisture and temperature conditions were both improved

wheat yield and water use efficiency were also increased

simultaneously total water consumption was decreased. If the problem of "white pollution" of plastic film mulching is considered

undoubtedly

the wheat straw mulching SW3(4 500 kg/hm2) is appropriate for its environment-friendship

high-yielding management solution and ecosystem sustainability in dryland agriculture.