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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Identifying the Influencing Factors of Plastic Film Mulching on Improving the Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Potato in the Northwest China
ClearEffects of Mulching on Maize Yield and Evapotranspiration in the Heihe River Basin, Northwest China
This study examined how plastic film mulching affects maize yield and water use in northwest China's Heihe River Basin, finding that mulching increases yields and reduces evaporation. However, widespread plastic mulch use is also a major source of microplastic pollution in agricultural soils.
Peer Review #1 of "Influence of plastic film mulch with biochar application on crop yield, evapotranspiration, and water use efficiency in northern China: A meta-analysis (v0.1)"
This meta-analysis pools data from studies on how plastic film mulch combined with biochar affects crop yields and water use in northern China. The research connects to microplastic concerns because widespread agricultural use of plastic film mulch is a major source of microplastic contamination in farmland soils, potentially affecting the safety of crops grown in those fields.
The effects of biodegradable mulch film on the growth, yield, and water use efficiency of cotton and maize in an arid region
Researchers compared biodegradable and conventional plastic mulch films in Chinese agriculture, finding that biodegradable films improved water use efficiency and crop yield comparably to conventional plastic while reducing long-term plastic accumulation in soil. Degradable mulch films represent a promising strategy to reduce agricultural microplastic pollution.
Optimized Farmland Mulching Improves Rainfed Maize Productivity by Regulating Soil Temperature and Phenology on the Loess Plateau in China
A field experiment on the Loess Plateau found that combining plastic film mulch with straw mulch regulated soil temperature and extended the grain-filling period of rainfed maize, preventing premature senescence and improving yields. The study highlights a trade-off in dryland agriculture: plastic mulch conserves moisture but overheats soil, while novel double-mulching patterns can mitigate the temperature problem while still relying on plastic film.
Effect of Different Mulch Types on Soil Environment, Water and Fertilizer Use Efficiency, and Yield of Cabbage
Researchers compared different mulch types including biodegradable films for cabbage cultivation in arid mountain regions, evaluating effects on soil temperature, moisture retention, water and fertilizer use efficiency, and crop yield under challenging growing conditions.
Effects of different mulch materials on the photosynthetic characteristics, yield, and soil water use efficiency of wheat in Loess tableland
Not relevant to microplastics — this agricultural study compares different mulching materials (including plastic film) on wheat yield and water use efficiency in the Loess Plateau of China, with no focus on microplastic pollution from plastic mulch.
Effects of Different Mulch Types on Farmland Soil Moisture in an Artificial Oasis Area
Not relevant to microplastics — this study compares how different mulch materials (including conventional polyethylene plastic films) affect soil moisture retention in an arid farming region of China, focusing on water management rather than plastic fragmentation or microplastic contamination.
Testing Biodegradable Films as Alternatives to Plastic-Film Mulching for Enhancing the Yield and Economic Benefits of Processed Tomato in Xinjiang Region
Biodegradable mulch films were tested against conventional plastic mulch in processed tomato fields in Xinjiang, China, with results showing comparable yields while substantially reducing plastic residue accumulation in soil.
Dry Direct-Seeded Rice Yield and Water Use Efficiency as Affected by Biodegradable Film Mulching in the Northeastern Region of China
This study evaluated dry direct-seeded rice yield and water use efficiency under biodegradable film mulching compared to conventional polyethylene mulch in a rain-fed agricultural context. Biodegradable films showed comparable agronomic performance to PE films while offering environmental benefits through reduced plastic persistence in soil.
Effects of Film Mulching on Soil Microbial Diversity and Community Structure in the Maize Root Zone under Drip Irrigation in Northwest China
A field study in Northwest China examined how different plastic film mulching practices affected soil microbial diversity and community structure in drip-irrigated maize fields across the growing season.
Effects of different mulch materials on the Photosynthetic Characteristics, yield, and soil water use efficiency of Wheat in Loess tableland
A field experiment on China's Loess Plateau found that liquid mulching film improved wheat photosynthesis, grain number, and water use efficiency compared to conventional mulching. The results support liquid film as an effective technique for high-yield wheat cultivation in drought-prone regions.
The Effects of Biodegradable Mulch Film on the Growth, Yield, and Water Use Efficiency of Cotton and Maize in an Arid Region
Biodegradable mulch film maintained crop growth and water use efficiency comparable to conventional polyethylene film in Chinese cotton and maize fields for the first 60 days, then began to degrade. Replacing conventional plastic mulch with biodegradable alternatives could reduce microplastic accumulation in agricultural soils.
Straw Return with Biodegradable Film Mulch: A Synergistic Cultivation Measure with Environmental and Economic Benefits Based on Life Cycle Assessment
Researchers used life cycle assessment to evaluate straw return combined with biodegradable plastic film mulch as a cultivation strategy for Chinese farmland, comparing environmental and economic outcomes against conventional practices. The combination reduced greenhouse gas emissions and improved soil health while remaining cost-competitive.
Ecosystem services of organic versus inorganic ground cover in peach orchards: A meta‐analysis
This meta-analysis of 55 studies found that inorganic ground covers like plastic film increased peach yields by 7.7% but organic covers provided superior soil health benefits and biological pest control in peach orchards.
Plastic mulch productivity-sustainability tradeoffs and pathways toward an eco-friendly framework: insights from a global meta-analysis
This meta-analysis pools data from global studies on plastic mulch used in farming, finding that it boosts crop yields by nearly 29% but leaves persistent plastic residue in soil. The plastic fragments that remain in farmland soil eventually break down into microplastics, which can contaminate crops and enter the food supply. The study calls for biodegradable alternatives to balance food production needs with the growing problem of agricultural microplastic pollution.
Effects of Biodegradable Film and Polyethylene Film Residues on Soil Moisture and Maize Productivity in Dryland
Researchers found that biodegradable agricultural films are a viable alternative to conventional polyethylene mulch films, with higher degradation rates and less impact on soil moisture and maize root growth, ultimately improving grain yield and water use efficiency over a two-year field experiment.
Straw Strip Mulching Increases Winter Wheat Yield by Optimizing Water Consumption Characteristics in a Semi-Arid Environment
Researchers found that straw strip mulching increases winter wheat yield in semi-arid environments by optimizing water consumption characteristics, conducting two-year field experiments comparing straw mulching against plastic film and no-mulching treatments as part of efforts to develop sustainable alternatives to plastic film mulching.
Impact of Management Strategies on Reducing of Mulching Film Residues Pollution in Arid Regions
Researchers examined the impact of different management strategies — including increased polyethylene film recycling rates and adoption of biodegradable mulch films — on reducing mulching film residue pollution in arid agricultural regions. The study found that combining recycling incentives with biodegradable film adoption significantly reduced soil plastic accumulation, supporting sustainable agricultural development in water-limited dryland farming systems.
Exploring Plastic Mulching as a Strategy for Mitigating Drought Stress and Boosting Maize Yield in the Ecuadorian Andes
A two-year field experiment in the Ecuadorian Andes found that plastic mulching increased soil water content by 8-14%, raised soil temperature by 1.26 degrees Celsius, and boosted fresh corn yield by up to 162% compared to conventional plots. While demonstrating agricultural benefits of plastic use, the study highlights a tension between food security and the potential for plastic mulch to become a source of microplastic soil contamination.
Effects of Future Climate Change on Spring Maize Yield and Water Use Efficiency under Film Mulching with Different Materials in the LOESS Plateau Region of China
Researchers used the DNDC biogeochemical model to evaluate effects of future climate change (2021-2100) on spring maize yield and water use efficiency under polyethylene film mulching and biodegradable film mulching in China's Loess Plateau, finding that biodegradable films can maintain yields while reducing plastic pollution under projected warming and increased rainfall.
Effect of Plastic Membrane and Geotextile Cloth Mulching on Soil Moisture and Spring Maize Growth in the Loess–Hilly Region of Yan’an, China
Researchers conducted a one-year field monitoring experiment in the loess-hilly region of Yan'an, China, comparing plastic membrane mulching, geotextile cloth mulching, and bare soil on soil moisture and spring maize growth. The study found that plastic membrane and geotextile mulching treatments influenced soil moisture dynamics and crop development differently compared to unprotected soil.
Plastic mulching in agriculture. Trading short-term agronomic benefits for long-term soil degradation?
This study examined plastic mulch use in agriculture, arguing that short-term crop benefits come with long-term costs as mulch fragments accumulate in soil as microplastics and disrupt soil structure, biology, and water dynamics.
Effects of agricultural land types on microplastic abundance: A nationwide meta-analysis in China
Meta-analysis of 321 observations across Chinese agricultural soils found that vegetable-growing soils had the highest microplastic contamination, followed by orchards, cropland, and grassland. Agricultural film mulch significantly increased soil microplastic levels, especially in orchards, while higher population density and economic activity correlated with increased contamination across all land types.
Agricultural plastic films reshape soil microplastic distribution, nitrogen cycle and ecological risks in facility agriculture
Researchers compared microplastic characteristics in protected agriculture systems and traditional farmland soils in China, finding significantly higher microplastic abundance in mulched farmland and documenting correlations between microplastic presence and altered soil nitrogen cycling and heavy metal distribution.