Abstract
Biodegradable mulches have become the focus of attention, as pollution caused by leftover plastic mulch material becomes increasingly severe. However, the impact of biodegradable mulches to the soil needs to be further investigated. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of no-mulch, biodegradable film mulch (BM) and polyethylene film mulch (PM) on the soil’s physical, chemical and biological properties after six years (2013–2019) of mulching in garlic growing season in a garlic-maize rotation. Results showed that the soil bulk density of the 10–20 cm soil layer under BM decreased by 12.09–17.17% compared with that under PM. The soil total nitrogen content increased significantly by 14.75–28.37%, and the soil available phosphorus and potassium content increased by 64.20% and 108.82%, respectively. In addition, BM increased the soil’s microbial, soil urease, and soil catalase activities compared with those for PM. To sum up, BM can reduce soil bulk density, and long-term use of BM does not cause a decrease in soil nutrient content and microbial activity. On the contrary, it can improve soil quality. This study helps accumulate data for the environmental safety evaluation of BM and provides theoretical and technical support for the large-scale promotion of biodegradable mulches.
Highlights
In the middle of the twentieth century, the plastic industry emerged, and plastic film covering techniques followed
The average amount of plastic film mulch residues on cultivated land in China is 34.0 kg hm−2, with a maximum of 317.4 kg hm−2 [8]
When the residual film amount increased to 900 kg hm−2, the root length decreased by 33.7%, and the yield decreased by 22.2%
Summary
In the middle of the twentieth century, the plastic industry emerged, and plastic film covering techniques followed. In 2020, China’s agricultural usage of mulches reached 1.357 million tons, covering an area of 1.74 × 107 hm2 [3]. Owing to the promotion and popularization of mulching techniques, people have realized that plastic film mulch can preserve heat and moisture and prevent water evaporation, significantly increasing crop yield per unit area and making it possible to increase agricultural production and income [4–6]. The mass usage of polyethylene mulches has caused severe “white pollution” in agriculture and impeded the quality and safety of both cultivated land and rural environment. The average amount of plastic film mulch residues on cultivated land in China is 34.0 kg hm−2, with a maximum of 317.4 kg hm−2 [8]. Film residues floating in ditches, ponds and rivers will influence the quality of irrigation and drainage, cause water pollution and affect fish survival [9]. When the residual film amount increased to 900 kg hm−2, the root length decreased by 33.7%, and the yield decreased by 22.2%
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