Abstract:Straw mulching and sodding culture are two kinds of effective measures to solve the problem of the seasonal drought in red soil region. An experiment of straw mulching and sodding culture impacting rainfall infiltration, soil evaporation and soil water regulation was conducted from 2005 to 2006 in Taoyuan experimental station (111 30′E, 28°55′N), which located in Hunan province. Results showed that straw mulching and sodding culture could increase rainfall infiltration and soil water storage. The infiltration depth was 40cm for straw mulching but 80cm for sodding culture in 48h since rainfall. Compared with no-mulching, the increment of water storage was 3.33mm for mulching and 1.33mm for sodding culture. These two measures also resulted in the reduction of soil evaporation of 69.10% and 36.53%, respectively. This effect was more obvious at midday under high temperature. The plant evaporation increased by 15.66％ and 7.26% while soil water consumption reduced by 20.55 mm and 4.33mm for straw mulching and sodding culture, respectively, in the whole drought season. The vertical distribution of soil water also changed obviously. Soil layer 0-20cm was greatly impacted by the outside conditions and had greater coefficient of variance (Cv) than the sub-layer. The greater water was consumed the more significant water shortage was showed in surface soil under sodding culture. The order of the average moisture in soil layer 0-20cm was: straw mulching＞no mulching treatment＞sodding culture. The variance of soil water in the layer of 20-80cm was reduced and the order was: straw mulching＞sodding culture＞no mulching treatment. The Cv in the deep layer of 120-160cm under sodding culture increased due to lacking sufficient water replenishment. However, soil water conditions in the other two treatments became more stable in the deep layer. The average values of soil moisture changed in the following order: straw mulching ＞ no mulching treatment ＞ sodding culture.