Effects of crushed wheat straw with plastic film mulch on soil hydrothermal properties and water use efficiency of sunflower in the northwestern arid region of China
Abstract A 3-year field experiment (2016–2018) were conducted in arid region of northwest China to systematically evaluate the effect mechanism of crushed wheat straw coupled with plastic film mulch on soil hydrothermal properties, sunflower yield and water use efficiency (WUE). The experimental des...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-05760-0 |
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| Summary: | Abstract A 3-year field experiment (2016–2018) were conducted in arid region of northwest China to systematically evaluate the effect mechanism of crushed wheat straw coupled with plastic film mulch on soil hydrothermal properties, sunflower yield and water use efficiency (WUE). The experimental design incorporated two controlled variables: mulching method [four levels: no mulch (N), straw mulch (S), film mulch (F) and crushed wheat straw padding with plastic film mulch (SF)] and irrigation quota [two levels: 900 m3 ha−1 (M1) and 750 m3 ha−1 (M2)], resulting in eight experimental treatments. The results showed that mulching method significantly (P < 0.05) modified soil hydrothermal conditions, sunflower seedling emergence rate, the growth, yield and WUE, with SF demonstrating superior performance. Soil water holding capacity increased as irrigation quota increased. Compared to the control (N), SF increased soil water storage by 17.51% (M1 level) and 11.87% (M2 level), while enhancing 0–25 cm soil temperature by 0.9 °C throughout the growing season. Thermal regulation patterns exhibited treatment-specific characteristics: SF and F displayed warming effects (+ 0.9 °C and + 1.7 °C of soil temperature, respectively), contrasting that S had a cooling effect (− 0.6 °C of soil temperature), especially at the seedling stage. Sunflower seedling emergence rate followed the order of SF > F > S > N, and M1 > M2. Mulching, by regulating soil temperature and conserving soil moisture, ultimately led to a significant increase in yield. Three-year averaged sunflower yield analysis showed SF and F enhanced productivity by 35.36% and 44.94% respectively compared to N, while SF maintaining superior WUE, SFM2 treatment was as high as 23.17 kg/(mm ha). Principal component analysis indicated that SFM2 as the optimal management strategy. These findings provide empirical evidence for developing sustainable water-saving cultivation practices in arid agroecosystems. |
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| ISSN: | 2045-2322 |