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Enhancing Sugarcane Yield and Weed Control Sustainability with Degradable Film Mulching

Journal of Environment & Aquatic Resources 2025 2 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count.
Xin Yuan, Rudan Li, Guolei Tang, Shaolin Yang, Jun Deng

Summary

Researchers conducted a two-year field trial comparing biodegradable plastic film mulching to conventional polyethylene film in sugarcane cultivation, finding that 0.010 mm biodegradable film reduced weed biomass by 70% and increased perennial yield by 3.83% while polyethylene film actually decreased yield. These results establish thick biodegradable film as a superior sustainable alternative for improving sugarcane productivity.

Polymers

A two-year field study evaluated biodegradable plastic film (BPF; thicknesses: 0.006, 0.008, and 0.010 mm) versus polyethylene film (PE; 0.010 mm) and no-mulch control on sugarcane yield and weed suppression. Key results demonstrated that 0.010 mm BPF significantly enhanced sugarcane emergence (CV = 5.07% in ratoon), reduced weed biomass by 70%, and increased perennial yield by 3.83% (+5.6 t ha-1), while PE film decreased yield by 3.80%. Regression analysis identified the effective stem number, plant height, and stem diameter as primary yield predictors (R2 = 0.996). Logistic models revealed that film mulching duration >119 days was critical for achieving high yields (>122.2 t ha-1) and sustained weed control (R2 = 0.81). These findings establish 0.010 mm BPF as an optimal sustainable alternative to PE film for enhancing sugarcane productivity.

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