Rice Cultivation under Film Mulching Can Improve Soil Environment and Be Beneficial for Rice Production in China

Rice cultivation under film mulching is an integrated management technology that can conserve water, increase soil temperature, improve yield, and enhance water and nitrogen use efficiencies. Despite these advantages, the system does have its drawbacks, such as soil organic matter reduction and microplastic pollution, which impede the widespread adoption of film mulching cultivation in China. Nonetheless, the advent of degradable film, controlled-release fertilizer, organic fertilizer, and film mulching machinery is promoting the development of rice film mulching cultivation. This review outlines the impact of rice cultivation under film mulching on soil moisture, soil temperature, soil fertility, greenhouse gas emissions, weed control, and disease and pest management. It also elucidates the mechanism of changes in rice growth, yield and quality, water use efficiency, and nitrogen use efficiency. This paper incorporates a review of published research articles and discusses some uncertainties and shortcomings associated with rice cultivation under film mulching. Consequently, prospective research directions for the technology of rice film mulching cultivation are outlined, and recommendations for future research into rice cultivation under film mulching are proposed.

Can soil organic carbon sequestration and the carbon management index be improved by changing the film mulching methods in the semiarid region?

Plastic film mulching has been widely used to increase maize yield in the semiarid area of China.However, whether long-term plastic film mulching is conducive to agricultural sustainability in this region remains controversial.A field experiment was initiated in 2013 with five different film mulching methods:(i) control method, flat planting without mulching (CK),(ii) flat planting with half film mulching (P),(iii) film mulching on ridges and planting in narrow furrows(S),(iv) full film mulching on double ridges (D), and (v) film mulching on ridges and planting in wide furrows (R).The effects on soil organic carbon (SOC) content, storage, and fractions, and on the carbon management index (CMI)were evaluated after nine consecutive years of plastic film mulching.The results showed that long-term plastic film mulching generally maintained the initial SOC level.Compared with no mulching, plastic film mulching increased the average crop yield, biomass yield, and root biomass by 48.38, 35.06, and 37.32%, respectively, which led to the improvement of SOC sequestration.Specifically, plastic film mulching significantly improved CMI, and increased the SOC content by 13.59%, SOC storage by 7.47%and easily oxidizable organic carbon (EOC) by 13.78%on average,but it reduced the other labile fractions.SOC sequestration and CMI were improved by refining the plastic film mulching methods.The S treatment had the best effect among the four mulching methods, so it can be used as a reasonable film mulching method for sustainable agricultural development in the semiarid area.

Improving maize growth and development simulation by integrating temperature compensatory effect under plastic film mulching into the AquaCrop model

Temperature compensatory effect, which quantifies the increase in cumulative air temperature from soil temperature increase caused by mulching, provides an effective method for incorporating soil temperature into crop models. In this study, compensated temperature was integrated into the AquaCrop model to investigate the capability of the compensatory effect to improve assessment of the promotion of maize growth and development by plastic film mulching(PM). A three-year experiment was conducted from2014 to 2016 with two maize varieties(spring and summer) and two mulching conditions(PM and non-mulching(NM)), and the AquaCrop model was employed to reproduce crop growth and yield responses to changes in NM, PM, and compensated PM. A marked difference in soil temperature between NM and PM was observed before 50 days after sowing(DAS) during three growing seasons. During sowing–emergence and emergence–tasseling, the increase in air temperature was proportional to the compensatory coefficient, with spring maize showing a higher compensatory temperature than summer maize. Simulation results for canopy cover(CC) were generally in good agreement with the measurements, whereas predictions of aboveground biomass and grain yield under PM indicated large underestimates from 60 DAS to the end of maturity. Simulations of spring maize biomass and yield showed general increase based on temperature compensation, accompanied by improvement in modeling accuracy, with RMSEs decreasing from 2.5 to 1.6 t ha^(-1)and from 4.1 t to 3.4 t ha^(-1). Improvement in biomass and yield simulation was less pronounced for summer than for spring maize, implying that crops grown during low-temperature periods would benefit more from the compensatory effect. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of the temperature compensatory effect to improve the performance of the AquaCrop model in simulating maize growth under PM practices.

Effects of Film Mulching on the Growth of Silage Maize and Weed

[Objective] The aim was to provide scientific reference for the production of silage maize in correlated regions of Tibet.[Method] Effects of film mulching on the growth period,growth traits and yield of silage maize and weed were analyzed.[Result] Under the treatment of film mulching,the growth period of silage maize could be advanced for 7-16 d; the plant length,stem diameter and leaf area were increased; and the grain output was increased by 75.9%.According to the market price of silage maize in 2008,22 500 Yuan/hm^2 was increased.There were 13 kinds of weeds in silage maize field,which belonged to 13 genera,8 families.Among them,6 kinds of weeds belonged to Gramineae,among which Echinochloa crusgalli and Setaria viridis were dominated in the weed communities.Plantago depressa,Eragrostis pilosa and Malva verticillata var.chinensis could be totally controlled by the film mulching; meanwhile the others could be also controlled in a certain degree except Echinochloa crusgalli.[Conclusion] The plastic mulching planting is worth popularizing for the developing of animal husbandry and the incoming of the local farmers in Tibet.

Effects of Plastic Film Mulching on Physical Characters of Soil and Yield and Yield Components of Sweet Potato

Field experiments were carried out to study the effects of plastic film mulching on soil physical characters, including soil temperature, soil moisture content and soil bulk density, and yield and yield components of sweet potato. The results showed that plastic filming mulching increased soil temperature. Considering the soil temperature-increasing effect, the treatments ranked as black plastic film treatment 〉 white plastic film treatment 〉 control. However, with the deepening of soil layer, the warming effect of plastic film mulching was weakened. Black or white plastic film mulching was conducive to low T/R value, especially in the early growth stage of sweet potato. Plastic film mulching significantly improved the storage root yield of sweet potato. In terms of yield-improving effect, the treatments ranked as black plastic film treatment 〉 white plastic film treatment 〉 control. The storage root num- ber per plant showed a downward trend, but the weight of single storage root was increased.

Light Simplified Millet Production Technique Adopting Film Mulching and Hole Sowing

In order to solve the problem that dry-land foxtail millet production completely relies on rainwater with low instable yield and tedious cultivation, Millet Research Institute of Hebei Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences integrated a light simplified production technique integrating film mulching, hole sowing and fertilization with mechanized production, forming the light simplified foxtail millet production technique adopting film mulching and hole sowing. This study introduced the light simplified foxtail millet production technique adopting film mulching and hole sowing, including main links such as preparation before sowing, sowing, attached agricultural machines, field management, harvest and residual film recovery.

Effects of Water-permeability Plastic Film Mulching plus Bunch Planting on Root and Yield of Foxtail Millet

Effects of water-permeability plastic film plus bunch planting on root growth and development and yield of foxtail millet were studied by randomized block design. The results showed that water-permeability plastic film mulching plus bunch planting had a significant promoting effect on root growth and development and yield of foxtail millet. Compared with the CK, the total root length, total surface area, total root volume and number of. root tips increased by 51.30%, 47.89%, 48.39% and 41.63%, respectively. The yield increased by 48.57%, and there was significant positive correlation between root length, total surface area, total volume, number of root tips and dry matter weight of roots with yield. Developed roots are the main reason for the yield increasing effect of water-permeability plastic film mulching plus bunch planting.

Effects of film mulching regime on soil water status and grain yield of rain-fed winter wheat on the Loess Plateau of China

Shortages and fluctuations in precipitation are influential limiting factors for the sustainable cultivation of rain-fed winter wheat on the Loess Plateau of China. Plastic film mulching is one of the most effective water management practices to improve soil moisture, and may be useful in the Loess Plateau for increasing soil water storage. A field experiment was conducted from July 2010 to June 2012 on the Loess Plateau to investigate the effects of mulching time and rates on soil water storage, evapotranspiration （ET）, water use efficiency （WUE）, and grain yield. Six treatments were conducted： （1） early mulching （starting 30 days after harvest） with whole mulching （EW）; （2） early mulching with half mulching （EH）; （3） early mulching with no mulching （EN）; （4） late mulching （starting 60 days after harvest） with whole mulching （LW）; （5） late mulching with half mulching （LH）; and （6） late mulching with no mulching （LN）. EW increased precipitation storage efficiency during the fallow periods of each season by 18.4 and 17.8%, respectively. EW improved soil water storage from 60 days after harvest to the booting stage and also outperformed LN by 13.8 and 20.9% in each growing season. EW also improved spike number per ha by 13.8 and 20.9% and grain yield by 11.7 and 17.4% during both years compared to LN. However, EW decreased WUE compared with LN. The overall results of this study demonstrated that EW could be a productive and efficient practice to improve wheat yield on the Loess Plateau of China.

Effects of plastic film mulching on soil greenhouse gases(CO2,CH4 and N2O) concentration within soil profiles in maize fields on the Loess Plateau,China

To better understand the effects of plastic film mulching on soil greenhouse gases（GHGs） emissions,we compared seasonal and vertical variations of GHG concentrations at seven soil depths in maize（Zea mays L.） fields at Changwu station in Shaanxi,a semi-humid region,between 2012 and 2013.Gas samples were taken simultaneously every one week from non-mulched（BP） and plastic film-mulched（FM） field plots.The results showed that the concentration of GHGs varied distinctly at the soil-atmosphere interface and in the soil profile during the maize growing season（MS）.Both carbon dioxide（CO_2） and nitrous oxide（N_2O） concentrations increased with increasement of soil depth,while the methane（CH_4）concentrations decreased with increasement of soil depth.A strong seasonal variation pattern was found for CO_2 and N_2O concentrations,as compared to an inconspicuous seasonal variation of CH_4 concentrations.The mean CO_2 and N_2O concentrations were higher,but the mean CH_4 concentration in the soil profiles was lower in the FM plots than in the BP plots.The results of this study suggested that plastic film mulching significantly increased the potential emissions of CO_2and N_2O from the soil,and promoted CH_4 absorption by the soil,particularly during the MS.

Effects of Plastic Film Mulching of Millet on Soil Moisture and Temperature in Semi-Arid Areas in South Ningxia of China

The effects of film mulching of millet on soil water content were studied in semi-arid areas in the Loess Plateau of South Ningxia, China. Different mulching methods including water micro-collecting farming （WF）, water micro-collecting farming in winter fallow （WW）, hole seeding on film （HF）, hole seeding on film in winter fallow （HW） were compared to determine the effects of mulching methods on soil water collecting and conservation during millet growth periods of 2003-2004, as well as the variation tendency of water content after rainfall, output of millet and water use efficiency （WUE）. The experimental results in the two successive years indicated that water micro-collecting farming had a better function of collecting water after rainfall, and side infiltrated water was stored under the ridges and the top layer 0-40 cm soil water changes were great. WF had obvious role in water collection and preservation of soil moisture. It effectively improved the water supply capacity by about 19.05% in the end of growth seasons. The storage of HW and WW increased by 24.9 and 7.1 mm compared with CK, and output of yield were obviously increased. Film mulching increased the yield of millet and enhanced water use efficiency （WUE）. During different growth periods, WF exhibited better water storage function with lower water consumption, and demonstrated optimal social and ecological benefits.

Effects of Plastic Film Mulching on Soil Carbon Fixation Capacity and Fertility Level in Eastern Qinghai

[Objectives]To explore the effects of single application of chemical fertilizers on soil carbon fixation capacity and soil fertility under plastic film mulching conditions in eastern Qinghai,and to provide a theoretical basis for realizing the sustainable development of film mulching planting method in this area.[Methods]The effects of single application of chemical fertilizer cultivation mode under film mulching conditions on the soil organic carbon(SOC),labile organic carbon(LOC),carbon management index(CMI),extractable humus carbon(CHE),humic acid carbon(CHA),and fulvic acid carbon(CFA)in the cultivated layer(0-20 cm)were studied through three consecutive years of field experiments on dryland maize farmland in the eastern Qinghai.[Results]Under the film mulching condition,the SOC,LOC and CMI of the single application of chemical fertilizer cultivation mode were lower than that of the open field control.CHE,CHA and CFA increased with the increase of planting years,but the degree of increase was generally less than that of the open field control.With the increase of planting years,by 2020,the soil LOC/SOC value of film mulching decreased by 4.97%compared with before the start of the experiment,while the open field control increased by 1.11%;the organic carbon oxidation stability coefficient(KOS)of the film mulching was higher than that of the open field control;the soil CHA/CFA value and PQ value were higher than that of the open field control.[Conclusions]Under the condition of single application of chemical fertilizers,the continuous film mulching cultivation mode reduces the soil carbon fixation capacity,and soil organic carbon tends to be stable,which is not conducive to biological utilization and could reduce the soil fertility and degrade the soil quality,causing adverse effects on the stability of crop yield and sustainable production in the long run.

Agronomic performances of biodegradable and non-biodegradable plastic film mulching on a maize cropping system in the semi-arid Loess Plateau,China

Biodegradable plastic film mulch (PFM) is considered an alternative to non-biodegradable PFM to mitigate the negative impacts of residual film.However,the agronomic performance of biodegradable PFM in comparison to non-biodegradable PFM still needs to be tested.In this study,we evaluated the effects of biodegradable and non-biodegradable PFM on soil physicochemical properties,microbial community,and enzyme activities,as well as maize growth performance.Biodegradable and non-biodegradable PFM both increased soil temperature,water content,N content,and microbial biomass and maize yield by up to 30%,but decreased soil enzyme activities as compared to no mulching (control,CK).Most soil physicochemical properties,microbial community,and enzyme activities were similar under non-biodegradable and biodegradable PFM at the early stages of maize growth.However,at the late stages,soil temperature,water content,mineral N,NO_(3)^(-)-N,ammonia monooxygenase (AMO) activity,and total phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) decreased under biodegradable PFM owing to film fragmentation.White PFM increased soil temperature,water content,and total PLFAs at the early stages of maize growth but decreased soil mineral N and total PLFAs at the late stages,as compared to black PFM.As soil temperature and N availability were the major factors affecting soil microbial community,microbial activity decreased after the fragmentation of biodegradable PFM,owing to the decreased soil temperature,water content,and mineral N.Notably,biodegradable PFM could decrease NO_(3)^(-)-N accumulation in topsoil by decreasing N transformation due to the lower microbial and N-related enzyme (e.g.,AMO) activities,compared with non-biodegradable PFM,which may avoid negative environmental impacts,such as NO_(3)^(-)-N leaching or gas emission after harvest.Maize yield,height,aboveground biomass,and N uptake under biodegradable PFM were similar to those under non-biodegradable PFM during maize growth,implying that biodegradable PFM has no negative impact on crop growth and yield.In general,biodegradable PFM was equivalent to non-biodegradable PFM in terms of maize yield increase and N uptake,but was environmentally friendly.Therefore,biodegradable PFM can be used as an alternative to non-biodegradable PFM in semi-arid areas for sustainable agricultural practices.

Distribution of microplastics in soil aggregates after film mulching

Microplastic distribution is non-homogeneous in agricultural soil following plastic film degradation.However,the distribution of microplastics by shape and particle size in different soil aggregates remains unknown.To elucidate the distribution of microplastic shapes and particle sizes in soil aggregates with increasing years of film mulching,four paired fields with film mulching(FM)and no mulching(NM)were examined at 1,5,10,and 20 years after continuous mulching.An increase in soil aggregates of 0.053–0.25 mm diameter was observed;however,soil organic carbon content decreased after long-term FM.Microplastics primarily combined with 0.053–2 mm soil aggregates.Specifically,long-term FM was associated with dominance of film-and fiber-shaped microplastics in soil aggregates of 0.25–2 mm and 0.053–0.25 mm diameter,respectively.Fiber-and granule-shaped microplastics of 0.25–1 mm diameter primarily combined with 0.053–0.25 and 0.25–2 mm soil aggregates,respectively.Film-shaped microplastics of diameter>1 mm and diameter 0.05–0.25 mm primarily combined with 0.25–2 mm soil aggregates.Therefore,distribution of microplastics in soil aggregates can be used to monitor soil health and quality,greatly enhancing our understanding of the risk posed by microplastics to the environment.

Effects of Different Plastic films Mulching on Soil Temperature and Moisture, the Growth and Yield of Sugarcane

[Objective] The effects of different plastic films mulching on soil temperature and moisture, and growth and yield of sugarcane were discussed in order to provide references for using different plastic film in sugarcane pro-duction. [Method]Four kinds of plastic films viz., normal colorless transparent plastic film, milky photodegradation weeding plastic film, black plastic film and gray-black plastic film were used in sugarcane cultivation by using no film mulching as the control. Soil temperature and moisture were measured during plastic film mulching period, and sugarcane agronomic traits such as emergence rate, tillering rate, plant hight, stalk diameter and effective stalk number were investigated during growth period, the cane yield and economic benefits were calculated during harvest period. [Result] The results showed that plastic film mulching could significantly increase soil temperature and moisture. Com-pared with the control, soil temperature was increased by 0.3-0.8 ℃ in three plastic films mulching treatment except for gray-black plastic film mulching. The soil moisture of all mulching treatments was 10.1%-17.4% higher than the control. Furthermore, the seedling emergence rate, tillering rate, effective stalk number and cane yield also could be improved using plastic film mulching,which were increased by 0.8%-9.9%, 20.6%-34.9%, 5190-10980 stalks/hm^2and6.4%-14.9% as compared to the control,while plant height and stalk diameter were found to be no significant effect by plastic film mulching. The results of benefit analysis indicated that, milky photodegradation weeding film mulching had the highest economic benefit, the second were normal colorless transparent plastic film mulching and black plastic film mulching, which were 5 987.2, 1 876.5 and 1 813.5 Yuan/hm^2 higher than the control. The gray-black film mulching treatment had poor benefit.[Conclusion] The milky photodegradation weeding plastic film could be vigorously extended in sugarcane production. Normal colorless transparent plastic film and black plastic film could be ex-tended gradually as a new kind of plastic film. The grayblack film should not be used for its higher cost and more thickness.

Numerical simulation and analysis of mechanized suppression process of seedbed with whole plastic film mulching on double ridges

In order to achieve the construction standard of high mechanized performance of the seedbed with whole plastic-film mulching on double ridges,in this study,the forms of suppression failure were analyzed,and the key factors influencing the suppression performance were determined based on the structure of the seedbed suppression device and its working principles.The discrete element method was adopted for numerical simulation on the suppression process of the seedbed with whole plastic film mulching on double ridges;the parameters during the interaction between the suppression device and seedbed soil were extracted and analyzed,such as contact area,sinkage and horizontal traction resistance trend of press wheels on big ridges and furrows of small ridge.Taking the suppression load on big ridges,suppression load on furrows of small ridge,and advancing velocity of the combined operation machine as the independent variables,qualified rate of suppression as the response value,a mathematical model between the test factors and qualified rate of suppression was established,to explore the influence sequence of the factors on suppression qualified rate.The optimal working parameters of the suppression device were finally obtained:the suppression load on big ridges was 40 N,suppression load on furrows of small ridge was 69.8 N and the machine advancing velocity was 0.98 m/s,and the achieved mean value of suppression qualified rate was 92.6%.Field verification test showed that the mean value of suppression qualified rate was 90.3%,a mere difference of 2.3%compared with the simulation result.The actual operation of the sample machine was basically consistent with the simulation process and could reveal the mechanized suppression operation mechanism of the seedbed with whole plastic film mulching on double ridges,indicating that the established DEM model and its parameter setting were relatively accurate and reasonable.

The status and distribution characteristics of residual mulching film in Xinjiang, China

Pollution of residual plastic film in arable lands is a severe problem in China. In this study, the status of residual film and influential factors were investigated using the methods of farm survey in combination with questionnaires and quadrat sampling at a large number of field sites in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. The results showed that the amount of film utilization increased largely and reached to 1.8×10~5 t in 2013. Similarly, the mulching area also substantially increased in recent decades, and reached to 2.7×10~5 ha in the same year. According to the current survey, 60.7% of the sites presented a greater mulch residue than the national film residue standard（75 kg ha^（–1））, and the maximum residual amount reached 502.2 kg ha^（–1） in Turpan, Xinjiang. The film thickness, the mulching time and the crop type all influenced mulch residue. The thickness of the film had significantly negative correlation with the amount of residual film（P0.05）, while the mulching years had significantly positive correlation with it（P0.05）. The total amount of residual film in Xinjiang was 3.43×105 t in 2011, which accounted for 15.3% of the cumulative dosage of mulching. Among all the crops, the cotton fields had the largest residual amount of mulch film（158.4 kg ha^（–1））, and also the largest contribution（2.6×10~5 tons） to the total amount of residual film in Xinjiang.

Modeling the effects of plastic film mulching on irrigated maize yield and water use efficiency in sub-humid Northeast China

In sub-humid Northeast China,plastic film mulching(PFM)is increasingly used with drip irrigation system in maize(Zea mays L.)to cope with seasonal droughts and low temperatures during seedling stage.Although there were several studies showing the benefits of PFM on maize production in the region,quantification of the effects of PFM in sub-humid Northeast China are still lacking.Hybrid-Maize model has a special version that can not only simulate the effects of PFM on reduction of soil evaporation and rise of topsoil temperature,but also simulate the effects of PFM on crop development and other physiological processes.This paper reports how to verify the Hybrid-Maize model against observations and then applying the model to quantify effects of PFM on grain yield and water use efficiency(WUE)under irrigated scenarios.The Hybrid-Maize model was added the heating effects of PFM on rising surface-soil temperature and promoting subsequent crop development by establishing equations between surface-soil temperature and air temperature before V6 stage.A 3-year field experiment including maize growth and yield data measured at a drip-irrigated field in Heilongjiang Province was used to serve the model calibration.The simulated results indicated that the Hybrid-Maize model performed well in simulation of seasonal soil water storage and in-season aboveground dry matter in three years,but overestimated the leaf area index(LAI)for both treatments and underestimated the final aboveground dry matter at maturity for mulched treatments.Although the Hybrid-Maize model overestimated the grain yield and WUE,it did still reflect the effects of PFM on increasing grain yield and WUE during the three growing seasons.The average simulated grain yield and WUE for mulched treatments were 8%and 13%greater compared to non-mulched treatments using 30 years weather data,which were in agreement with observations that average grain yield and WUE was 11%and 14%increased by PFM,respectively.For evapotranspiration(ET),the average simulated ET for mulched treatments was 22 mm less than non-mulched treatments mainly due to less soil evaporation.For simulated irrigation requirements,at most 69 mm of irrigation water could be saved by PFM.In conclusion,PFM with drip irrigation could improve irrigated maize production in sub-humid Northeast China.

Effects of plastic mulching film-induced leaf burning on seedling growth in tobacco cultivation:Different findings beyond conservation view

Solving high-temperature plastic mulching film-induced leaf burning in the first week during tobacco cultivation would take much time and effort. In the present study, the growth as well as the leaf sugar and nicotine contents of seedlings with or without leaf burning induced by high-temperature plastic mulching film were tested at two independent sites in 2015 and 2016 to identify the influence of leaf burning on seedling growth. The results showed that the growth of seedlings with leaf burning was improved with increased leaf area, leaf number and plant height compared to those without leaf burning, combined with an increased seedling survival rate at two sites in two years. In seedlings with leaf burning, the contents of fructose and glucose increased and peaked at 11：00 and 13：00 in the leaf and root, respectively, with an increased root nicotine content beginning at 13：00, highlighting the signalling role of sugars. Activities of antioxidant enzymes including peroxidase （POD）, superoxide dismutase （SOD） and catalase （CAT） were all increased in seedlings with leaf burning. More plant biomass was allocated to roots in seedlings with leaf burning with increased root volume compared to control seedlings, which might facilitate the absorption of water and nutrients from the soil. Our findings demonstrate that high-temperature plastic mulching film-induced leaf burning not inhibited but benefited seedling survival and growth, suggesting that the time and labour-consuming manual plucking of burnt leaves can be avoided during tobacco cultivation.

Characteristics of Mulching Plastic Film Residue in Cotton Fields in the Yellow River Delta

In order to get a clear picture of distribution characteristics of mulching plastic film residue in cotton fields in the Yellow River Delta and make scientific pollution prevention and control strategies, an investigation was conducted in Dongying City. Five typical cotton fields were chosen, and then the number, distri- bution density and area of residual film were measured. The results showed that the residual film was 18. 84-53. 53 kg/hm^2 in cotton fields for more than 20 years, and the differences between fields were larger. The residual density was 225-340 thousand per hectare. There were great differences among residual pieces. The proportion of residual pieces over 25 cm^2 was 94. 1%, that between 100 cm^2 and 500 cm^2 was more than 50. 0%, and that bigger than 500 cm^2 was about 21. 0%. In the Yellow River Delta cotton region, large, thin and difficult to recovery were the main characteristics of mulching plastic film residue, and it had the possibility of mi- grating to deep soil. Thus, the ecological risk of mulching plastic film residue was higher. Key words The Yellow River Delta; Cotton field; Residue of mulching plastic film; Distribution characteristic

Better tillage selection before ridge–furrow film mulch can facilitate root proliferation, and increase nitrogen accumulation,translocation and grain yield of maize in a semiarid area

Plastic film mulch systems are used widely in arid areas, and the associated tillage measures affect soil properties, root and crop growth, and nutrient uptake. However, much debate surrounds the most suitable tillage method for plastic film mulch systems. We conducted a two-year field experiment to explore the impact of three tillage treatments-rotary tillage before ridge–furrow plastic film mulch(MR), no-tillage before ridge–furrow plastic film mulch(MZ), and plow tillage before ridge–furrow plastic film mulch(MP)-on soil total nitrogen, available nitrogen, root stratification structure,nitrogen transfer and utilization, and maize yield. The results showed that MP had better soil quality than either MR or MZ over 2019 and 2020, with higher nitrate-nitrogen and total nitrogen in the 0–40 cm soil layer. MP improved the soil physicochemical properties more than the other treatments, producing significantly higher root numbers and root biomass for the aerial and underground nodal roots than MR and MZ. At harvest, MP had the highest root biomass density,root length density, and root surface area density in the different soil layers(0–20, 20–40, and 0–40 cm). Significant correlations occurred between root biomass and aboveground nitrogen accumulation during maize growth. During grain filling, MP had the greatest nitrogen transfer amount, significantly increasing root and aboveground nitrogen transfer by 19.63–45.82% and 11.15–24.56%, respectively, relative to the other treatments. MP significantly produced 1.36–26.73%higher grain yields and a higher grain crude protein content at harvest than MR and MZ. MP also had higher values for the nitrogen harvest index, nitrogen uptake efficiency, and partial factor productivity of nitrogen fertilizer than MR and MZ.In conclusion, plow tillage combined with a ridge–furrow plastic film mulch system facilitated maize root development and improved nitrogen utilization, thereby increasing maize yield more than the other treatments.