Effects of Re-Used Plastic Film Mulching on Soil Moisture and Water Use Efficiency in Hetao Area, China

Abstract

Aiming at reducing agricultural pollution caused by plastic film and increasing soil moisture and water use efficiency (WUE), the field experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of re-used plastic film mulching on soil moisture, sunflower’s yield and water use efficiency by compared with new plastic film mulching and bare field in Hetao area, China. The results showed that, soil water of re-used film mulching increased at different degree. Compared with bare field and new film mulching, soi1 moisture of re-used film were higher significantly 1.5 percentage points in 0-100 cm, and especially 1.9 or 2.6 percentage points in 0-10 cm during sunflower’s growth stage. Soil water of re-used film was more than that of bare field 24.8 mm (in 2010) and 33.0 mm (in 2011) before seeding, and 21.6mm (in 2010) and 24.5mm (in 2011) at harvest when soil water was replenished to same level for each treatment before sowing. Meanwhile, the grain yield of re-used film was higher significantly than that of bare field 11.4% (in 2010) and 16.8% (in 2011), and WUE of re-used film was higher significantly 15.7% (in 2010) and 22.7% (in 2011) respectively, no significant with new film. So it was worth to apply re-used film to agriculture production for improving the soil moisture, enhancing water use efficiency and increasing the yield of sunflower. We suggest that the application of re-used film mulching is a suitable soil management practice for increase water and WUE in Hetao area or other areas with similar conditions.