Papers

61,005 results
|
Meta Analysis Tier 1

Identifying the Influencing Factors of Plastic Film Mulching on Improving the Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Potato in the Northwest China

This meta-analysis found that plastic film mulching increased potato yield by 25-30% and improved water use efficiency in water-scarce Northwest China. The benefits varied by precipitation level, fertilizer application, and mulching method, providing guidance for optimizing this widely used agricultural practice.

2023 Water 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Polymer Coated Urea in ‘Russet Burbank’ Potato: Yield and Tuber Quality

Researchers evaluated polymer coated urea (PCU) as a nitrogen fertilizer for Russet Burbank potato production at three Idaho locations, comparing PCU applied at emergence, conventional urea at emergence, and split-applied urea across five nitrogen rates. PCU-fertilized treatments produced 10-11% higher marketable and total tuber yields compared to conventional urea applications, demonstrating PCU's potential to improve nitrogen use efficiency in potato production.

2023 American Journal of Potato Research 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Effect of Agrotechnical Measures on Chemical Composition of Early Potato Tubers

This study examined how different farming practices — fertilization, irrigation, and crop rotation — affect the nutritional and chemical composition of early potato tubers. The results can help farmers optimize practices to improve food quality while maintaining sustainable agriculture.

2023
Article Tier 2

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.

2024 Agronomy 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatiotemporally Matched Nitrogen Release from a Double Core-Shell Urea Improves Rice Growth

Researchers evaluated a novel double core-shell controlled-release urea fertilizer designed to match the biphasic nitrogen uptake pattern of rice plants. Over a two-year field experiment, the fertilizer delivered two distinct nitrogen release peaks aligned with vegetative and reproductive growth stages, improving photosynthetic efficiency and grain yield. The study suggests this approach could reduce nitrogen fertilizer input by nearly 17% without compromising rice yields.

2025 Agronomy 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Degradable film mulching increases soil carbon sequestration in major Chinese dryland agroecosystems

Researchers compared biodegradable and conventional plastic film mulches used in farming and found that biodegradable films increased carbon storage in soil while traditional plastic mulch reduced it, suggesting that switching to biodegradable alternatives could help fight climate change while cutting plastic pollution.

2025 Nature Communications 15 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2023 Agriculture 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Crop Management System Consisting of Biodegradable Mulching Film + Drip Irrigation Increases Yield and Quality of Flue-Cured Tobacco

This paper is not about microplastics; it compares biodegradable plastic mulching film combined with drip irrigation against conventional bare-soil and sprinkler irrigation for tobacco crops, focusing on yield and quality outcomes.

2024 Sustainability 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Enhancing carbon restoration and ecosystem resilience in global drylands via water-to-carbon biotransformation strategies

Researchers synthesized thousands of experiments on dryland farming and found that combining crop diversification, efficient irrigation, soil mulching, and soil health practices can significantly restore carbon to depleted soils while improving water use efficiency. The study argues these strategies are practical pathways for combating climate change and food insecurity in the world's most water-stressed regions.

2025 Communications Earth & Environment 2 citations
Clinical Trial Tier 1

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.

2023 Agronomy 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Nano iron oxide closes the gap between climate regulation and food security trade-offs

This study found that applying nano iron oxide to rice paddies can reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining crop yields. Agricultural management practices that reduce environmental footprint are relevant given that plastic mulches and agrochemicals also contribute to microplastic soil contamination.

2023
Article Tier 2

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.

2024 Sustainability
Article Tier 2

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.

2019 17 citations
Article Tier 2

A Comparative Plant Growth Study of a Sprayable, Degradable Polyester–Urethane–Urea Mulch and Two Commercial Plastic Mulches

Researchers compared a new biodegradable sprayable mulch film with conventional polyethylene mulches in a greenhouse tomato growing trial. They found that the biodegradable polyester-urethane-urea film provided similar water savings and crop yields as traditional plastic mulches while avoiding the environmental drawbacks of persistent plastic residues. The study suggests that sprayable biodegradable mulches could be a viable alternative to reduce microplastic contamination in agricultural soils.

2025 Agriculture 1 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2024 Agriculture 7 citations
Article Tier 2

A critical review of biochar-based nitrogen fertilizers and their effects on crop production and the environment

Researchers reviewed biochar-based nitrogen fertilizers — materials that combine charred organic matter with nitrogen — as a way to reduce fertilizer loss to the environment, which currently contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution, while improving crop yields and soil health.

2022 Biochar 111 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2023 Applied Sciences 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Liming promotes the leaching of carbon and nitrogen in a double-cropped rice system

Researchers tested the effects of adding lime to acidic rice paddies and found that while liming boosted grain yields by about 12%, it also significantly increased the leaching of dissolved nitrogen and carbon compounds into groundwater, particularly during early growth stages. The findings suggest that lime application needs to be paired with practices that protect groundwater quality.

2025 Scientific Reports
Article Tier 2

Effects of Biodegradable Plastic Film Mulching on the Global Warming Potential, Carbon Footprint, and Economic Benefits of Garlic Production

Researchers compared the environmental and economic impacts of biodegradable plastic film mulching versus conventional plastic film mulching for garlic production. They found that biodegradable film increased methane absorption but also raised nitrous oxide emissions compared to conventional plastic. The study suggests that biodegradable mulching films can reduce the carbon footprint and improve economic returns in garlic farming while avoiding the long-term soil contamination associated with conventional plastic films.

2024 Agronomy 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Energy budget and carbon footprint in a wheat and maize system under ridge furrow strategy in dry semi humid areas

This agricultural study compared the energy use and carbon footprint of wheat-maize farming systems using different irrigation and planting strategies in semi-arid China. The research has no direct relevance to microplastic research but informs sustainable farming practices that reduce overall environmental impact.

2021 Scientific Reports 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Environmental risk of multi-year polythene film mulching and its green solution in arid irrigation region

Researchers found that 19 years of polythene film mulching accumulated up to 2,900 microplastic particles per kilogram of soil along with elevated plasticizer concentrations, and demonstrated that biodegradable film alternatives could significantly reduce this environmental contamination.

2022 Journal of Hazardous Materials 100 citations
Article Tier 2

Effect of Nitrogen Management on Wheat Yield, Water and Nitrogen Utilization, and Economic Benefits under Ridge-Furrow Cropping System with Supplementary Irrigation

This paper is not about microplastics; it examines the effects of nitrogen management practices and ridge-furrow cropping systems on wheat yield, water use efficiency, and economic returns.

2023 Agronomy 8 citations
Clinical Trial Tier 1

Nitrous oxide emissions from rice paddy: Impacts of rice straw and water management

This field study found that alternative wetting and drying irrigation reduced nitrous oxide emissions from rice paddies by 30-40% compared to continuous flooding, while rice straw application at higher rates increased emissions. The interaction between water management and straw application is key to minimizing greenhouse gas output from rice cultivation.

2023 Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy 30 citations
Article Tier 2

Nutrient Management Influences Root Characteristics and Nitrogen Use Efficiency in the Vegetable-Based Agroecosystem in the Northwestern Himalayas

This paper is not about microplastics — it evaluates how different fertilizer combinations affect root growth and nitrogen use efficiency in vegetable crops.

2023 Sustainability 7 citations