Liquid film is a new kind of soil conditioner and compartmentalisation is a new method for turf building.Experimentation shows the effect on soil water，soil temperature and seedling growth in an arid environment of liquid film，compartmentalisation and their combination.The results indicate that fiber compartments and cotton compartments used together with liquid film can improve soil water conservation，but reduce considerably maize seedling growth rates.Liquid film alone showed the best results，improving soil water conservation and soil temperature and enabling a higher seedling growth rate in an arid environment than the other methods.Liquid film warrants further study and application as a new measure to preserve soil moisture and enhance seedling growth in arid environments.