Abstract: 【Objective】 Ridge and furrow rainfall harvesting system was used to plant Medicago sativa, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the planting of Medicago sativa in semiarid areas of Loess Plateau of northwestern China, where annual rainfall ranges from 250 mm to 350 mm.【Method】 The experiment was carried out in Yongdeng County, Gansu Province. Two treatments were used in the experiment: ridge membrane, rainfall harvesting area, and earth ridge, planting area, and the effect of various ridge and furrow width ratios as well as mulching methods on the growing and quality of dry farmed M. sativa were studied to select the optimum rainfall harvesting treatment. 【Result】 The results showed that ridges covered with plastic film were evidently superior to ridges compacted with soil. MR60 was found to be the best in all treatments: the emergence rate, survival rate and overwintering rate of M. sativa increased by 16.01%, 16.03% and 18.25% compared with the control group (CK), respectively. The growth rate and regeneration rate increased by 65.30% and 56.41% compared with the control group (CK), respectively. The shoot height, branches and hay yield increased by 65.12%, 29.04% and 238.20% compared with the control group (CK), respectively. The stem-leaf ratio decreased by 22.45% compared with the control group (CK). The crude protein (CP) and crude extract (EE) increased by 29.82% and 9.31% compared with the control group (CK), respectively. The crude ash (CA) decreased by 14.54% compared with control group (CK). No significant difference was found between crude fiber (CF) and the control group (CK). 【Conclusion】 Emergence rate, survival rate and overwintering rate of M. sativa increased by covering ridges with plastic film in experimental and similar areas, meanwhile, plant growth, yield and quality of hay were also significantly promoted, thus realizing the dual goals of high yield and high quality.

Key words: Medicago sativa, ridge and furrow rainfall harvesting, growth characteristics