Abstract: In this paper,a field experiment was conducted in the oasis region of Hexi Corridor,Gansu Province to study the effects of alternate partial root zone furrow irrigation (AFI) and conventional furrow irrigation (CFI) on grape growth and water use under mulching and no mulching.The results indicated that AFI,either mulching or no mulching,could alternately keep a part of root zone drying and another part of it wetting,which induced the compensative growth of grape.Under AFI,more leaf stomas closed.The photosynthesis rate was less affected,but the transpiration rate decreased obviously,and the water use efficiency increased.It was suggested that AFI,especially combined with film mulching,could regulate the behaviors of leaf stoma,and promote grape growth and water use,being an effective approach in cultivating grape in the field.

Key words: Soil macropore, Definition, Types, Origin, Methodology