Journal of Environmental Biology

Determining time limits of continuous film mulching and examining residual effects on cotton yield and soil properties 

Dong Hegan^1,2, Liu Tong¹*, Han Zhiquan³, Sun Qinming¹ and Li Ru⁴

¹College of Life Science, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xingjiang-832 003, China

²Rural energy and environment work station of Yili, Yining, Xingjiang-835 000, China

³College of Science, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xingjiang-832 003, China

⁴College of Foreign Languages, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xingjiang-832 003, China

*Corresponding Author?s E-mail: betula@126.com

 Publication Data

Paper received:

10 January 2014

Revised received:

30 October 2014

Accepted:

20 February 2015

Abstract

Film mulching of cotton could slow cotton maturation and increase yield, as well as reduce the impact of weeds. The present study, film residue was used in the main areas of cultivation of short-fiber cotton in northern Xinjiang. Six gradients of film residue density (0, 250, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000 kg hm^-2) with two major cotton varieties (Xinluzao 33 variety with a deep root system and Xinluzao 13 variety with a shallow root system) were studied to observe residues effect on cotton. To find the reason for decline in yield and calculate the length of time for which film mulching can be used without sacrificing cotton yield. Yield of Xinluzao 13 variety and Xinluzao 33 variety declined as the film residue density rose. Specifically, when the residue density was 2000 kg hm-2, the yield of Xinluzao 33 variety and Xinluzao 13 variety decreased by 38.3% and 45.2%, respectively. Alkaline hydrolysis of nitrogen as well as available P dropped by 55.0% and 60.3%, respectively, at highest residue density. After film mulching had been used for 121 years and 157 years (for Xinluzao 33 variety and Xinluzao 13 variety, respectively), cumulative reduction in yield per surface area was greater than its cumulative increase in yield due to the use of film mulching. In other words, cumulative residue not only decreased cotton yield, but also negated the positive benefit of using film mulching, perhaps even permanently after mulching for many years. ?    

 Key words

Cotton yield, Film residue, Soil pollution, Time limits

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