1.College of Soil and Water Conservation Science and Engineering (Institute of Soil and Water Conservation),Northwest A&F University,Yangling,Shaanxi 712100,China
2.State Key Laboratory of Soil and Water;Conservation and Desertification Control,Yangling,Shaanxi 712100,China
3.College of Water Resources and;Architectural Engineering,Northwest A&F University,Yangling,Shaanxi 712100,China
4.Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group Co. ,Ltd. ,Qingdao,Shandong 266000,China
Objective This study aims to investigate the interactive effects of plastic film mulching and combined soil amendments on the soil quality index (SQI) and maize yield, in order to achieve the synergistic improvement of soil quality and maize yield in the dryland farming systems of Northwest China. Methods A three-factor randomized block design was adopted, including two mulching methods: no mulching (M0) and black plastic film mulching (M1), two application rates of water-retaining agent (W0: 0 kg/hm2; W1: 45 kg/hm2), and three application rates of biochar (B0: 0 t/hm2; B15: 15 t/hm2; B30: 30 t/hm2). The effects of different treatment combinations on soil physicochemical properties, SQI, and maize yield were compared. Results 1) Both mulching and amendments improved soil physical structure. The W1B30 treatment reduced the bulk density in the 0-40 cm soil layer by an average of 4.29% and increased porosity, field water capacity, and saturated water content. Mulching provided a more stable hydrothermal background for the amendments to function, resulting in more pronounced improvements in surface structure and water-holding capacity. 2) The improvement in soil chemical properties was mainly attributed to biochar. In the 0-20 cm soil layer, soil organic carbon (SOC) in the W1B30 treatment increased by 23.73% compared to the control, while available phosphorus and available potassium increased by 22.66% and 9.86%, respectively. The extent of improvement in SOC and nutrient availability by amendments differed under different mulching conditions, indicating that mulching methods regulated the response of C and N accumulation and available nutrients to amendments. 3) The combined application of plastic film mulching and amendments jointly promoted maize yield, and the yield was more sensitive to mulching×amendment interactions. Under the no mulching condition, W1B30 increased yield by 19.25%, while with mulching, W1B15 increased yield by 18.61%. SQI showed a significant positive correlation with yield (R2 =0.67), and the SQI of the W1B30 treatment increased by 138.95%. Conclusion Plastic film mulching significantly increases maize yield. The combined application of amendments markedly improves the physical structure of dryland farmland soil, enhances water and nutrient retention, thereby increasing soil fertility and achieving synchronous improvement of soil quality and yield. This study provides a basis for optimizing mulching management and amendment application in dryland regions, and for advancing sustainable production with reduced or no plastic film.
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