Abstract: 【Objective】 To study the effects of strip mulching and ridge planting on the water consumption characteristics and yield of potato at different growth stages,and to establish the high yield mulching culture technology of potato in the semi-arid rain-fed agricultural area of northwest China.【Method】 There were 5 treatments: high ridge straw strip mulching（SHH）,low ridge straw strip mulching（SLH）,plain straw strip mulching（PH）,plastic film mulching（HM）,and traditional open plain straw as control（CK）.【Result】 Mulching could significantly improve soil water status. Compared to CK,strip mulching and ridge planting increased the soil water storage by 10. 2% and 8. 0% respectively. Straw strip mulching and ridge planting reduced water consumption,daily water consumption intensity and water consumption mode coefficient in the early growth stage from seedling stage to tuber formation stage by 5. 89%,5. 95% and 5. 29%,respectively,compared with CK,and increased water consumption,daily water consumption intensity and water consumption mode coefficient in middle and late tuber formation stage to starch accumulation stage.Compared with CK,they increased by 2. 93%,2. 92% and 3. 73% respectively. Compared with CK,the yield,WUE,large potato rate and commercial potato rate of rip-mulching culture with straw strips were significantly increased by 40. 03%,41. 15%,53. 22% and 23. 77%,respectively,and the yield and WUE of potato block were SHH＞SLH＞PH. There were significant or extremely significant positive correlations between potato block yield and water consumption,water consumption intensity and water consumption modulus,except for the significant negative correlations between sowing stage and seedling stage and seedling stage and tuber formation stage.【Conclusion】 Straw strip mulching and high ridge（SHH） treatment can improve the soil water environment,adjust the water consumption structure of potatoes,balance the contradiction between supply and demand in the main growth period of potatoes,so as to achieve the purpose of increasing production and improving efficiency,and can be used as a recommended model for potato highyield cultivation in rain-fed agricultural areas in northwest China.