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Journal of Integrative Agriculture  2026, Vol. 25 Issue (4): 1664-1674    DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.07.015
Agro-ecosystem & Environment Advanced Online Publication | Current Issue | Archive | Adv Search |
Biodegradable mulch films support root proliferation and yield in water-saving rice production

Haihe Gao1, 2, 3, Changrong Yan1, 2, 3, Joann K. Whalen4, Wenqing He1, 2, 3, Hongjin Liu5, Jixiao Cui1, 2, Daozhi Gong1, 3, Karen Mancl6, Qin Liu1, 2, 3#, Xurong Mei1, 3#

1 Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China

2 Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Residual Pollution in Agricultural Film of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, China

3 State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Agricultural Water Resources, Beijing 100081, China

4 Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Macdonald Campus, QC H9X 3V9, Canada

5 Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Technology Extension Center of Inner Mongolia, Hohhot 010010, China

6 Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA

 Highlights 
Biodegradable mulch films enhanced the soil conditions in water-saving rice production.
Enhanced spatial distribution of the root system improved rice resistance to stunting.
Optimized root development contributed to rice productivity and sustainability with biodegradable mulch films.
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摘要  

针对节水水稻种植体系中水资源高效利用与稳产高产的双重难题,本研究在我国东北地区创新引入生物降解地膜覆盖技术。通过系统比较水稻无覆盖与覆盖条件下持续灌溉、控制灌溉及滴灌模式的效果,研究发现:生物降解地膜覆盖显著提升了水稻生长前期地温及保墒能力;其中,生物降解地膜覆盖下持续灌溉模式的水稻产量最高(9.4/公顷),净利润约1.18万元/公顷;而生物降解地膜覆盖下滴灌模式的节水效果最优,用水量最少(235 mm),水分生产力最高(1.25 kg m-3)。研究进一步揭示,0-40厘米土层中水稻的根长、根重及根表面积(尤其在幼穗分化期)与水分生产力、干物质累积及产量呈显著正相关。这表明,根系形态的优化是提升产量和节水效率的关键内在因素。综上所述,生物降解地膜覆盖通过优化根区微环境、高效驱动根系发育,协同实现水稻种植体系的资源节约与稳产高产目标。



Abstract  

Water-saving rice systems must maintain yield targets while reducing water consumption. Applying biodegradable film to cover the soil surface reduces water loss through evapotranspiration, establishing a warmer, more humid microenvironment for rice growth compared to traditional paddy rice systems.  This study examined soil water regimes for rice production in Northeast China, comparing rice growth with and without biodegradable mulch film under continuous flooding, drip irrigation, and controlled irrigation conditions.  The implementation of biodegradable mulch film elevated soil temperature and sustained soil moisture during early rice development.  Continuous flooding with biodegradable mulch film yielded the highest rice production (9.4 Mg ha–1) and net profit of approximately 11,800 CNY ha–1.  Drip irrigation with biodegradable mulch film achieved maximum water efficiency, demonstrating the highest water productivity (1.25 kg m–3) and minimum water consumption (235 mm).  Root length, weight, and surface area in the 0–40 cm soil layer exhibited positive correlations with water productivity, shoot dry matter, and yield, indicating that root morphological characteristics, particularly during the panicle initiation stage, enhanced rice production and water conservation.  The findings demonstrate that biodegradable mulch film created favorable soil conditions for root proliferation, enabling higher yields in water-saving rice systems.

Keywords:  biodegradable mulch film        water-saving rice       root characteristics       grain yield       crop water productivity  
Received: 03 March 2025   Accepted: 20 June 2025 Online: 14 July 2025  
Fund: 

This research was supported by National Key Research and Development Program of China (2023YFD1701902), the Inner Mongolia Science and Technology Program, China (2023YFHH0099), the Science and Technology Innovation Project of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (2021–2025), the Central Public-interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund, China (BSRF202518).

About author:  Haihe Gao, E-mail: gaohaihe@caas.cn; #Correspondence Qin Liu, Tel: +86-10-82106018, E-mail: liuqin02@caas.cn; Xurong Mei, Tel: +86-10-82105987, E-mail: meixurong@caas.cn

Cite this article: 

Haihe Gao, Changrong Yan, Joann K. Whalen, Wenqing He, Hongjin Liu, Jixiao Cui, Daozhi Gong, Karen Mancl, Qin Liu, Xurong Mei. 2026. Biodegradable mulch films support root proliferation and yield in water-saving rice production. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 25(4): 1664-1674.

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