Field-based assessment of the effect of conventional and biodegradable plastic mulch film on nitrogen partitioning, soil microbial diversity, and maize biomass

Martine Graf; Lucy M. Greenfield; Michaela K. Reay; Rafael Bargiela; Peter N. Golyshin; Richard P. Evershed; Charlotte E.M. Lloyd; Gwion B. Williams; David R. Chadwick; Davey L. Jones

doi:10.1016/j.apsoil.2024.105595

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Field-based assessment of the effect of conventional and biodegradable plastic mulch film on nitrogen partitioning, soil microbial diversity, and maize biomass

Journal article

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Field-based assessment of the effect of conventional and biodegradable plastic mulch film on nitrogen partitioning, soil microbial diversity, and maize biomass

Martine Graf, Lucy M. Greenfield, Michaela K. Reay, Rafael Bargiela, Peter N. Golyshin, Richard P. Evershed, Charlotte E.M. Lloyd, Gwion B. Williams, David R. Chadwick and Davey L. Jones

Applied soil ecology : a section of Agriculture, ecosystems & environment, Vol.202, 105595

2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2024.105595

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Abstract

Agricultural plastic use

Compound-specific 15N tracing

Nitrogen dynamics

Polymer degradation

Prokaryotic diversity

Stable isotopes

In an agricultural context, the use of conventional low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and biodegradable plastic mulch film has been actively promoted, however, the effects on physical and biochemical soil properties, crop growth dynamics, yield, and nutrient cycling of conventional and biodegradable mulch film use in a temperate climate remain largely undetermined. Here, we conducted a field experiment, exploring the effects of no mulch (control), conventional (LDPE), and biodegradable (PLA/PBAT) plastic mulch film on soil and crop (Zea mays L.) nitrogen (N) partitioning after application of 15N-labelled ammonium-nitrate fertiliser. Further, we also investigated the treatment effects on soil physical and biochemical properties (e.g., microbial diversity, compound-specific microbial 15N incorporation, N dynamics), plant development, as well as monitoring the biotic and abiotic degradation of the plastic mulch films. We found that conventional mulch film increased crop yield by 25 % and 15N uptake by 34 % compared to the control, simultaneously reducing 15N retention by 40 % in the topsoil (0–10 cm), but not affecting microbial N use efficiency and N transformation and incorporation into the protein pool. Biodegradable film application resulted in similar biomass (306 ± 14 g plant−1) to both control (275 ± 14 g plant−1) and conventional mulch (344 ± 20 g plant−1) treatments, but significantly reduced 15N crop uptake by 63 % compared to the conventional mulch film. We ascribe this to the accelerated mechanical breakdown and faster degradation of the biodegradable mulch film during the growing season. These findings suggest that current biodegradable plastic mulch film polymer blends may not be a suitable alternative to conventional mulch film in terms of short-term productivity and N use efficiency in a temperate climate for maize production. [Display omitted]

Details

Title: Field-based assessment of the effect of conventional and biodegradable plastic mulch film on nitrogen partitioning, soil microbial diversity, and maize biomass
Authors/Creators: Martine Graf - Bangor University
Lucy M. Greenfield - Bangor University
Michaela K. Reay - University of Bristol
Rafael Bargiela - Bangor University
Peter N. Golyshin - Bangor University
Richard P. Evershed - University of Bristol
Charlotte E.M. Lloyd - University of Bristol
Gwion B. Williams - Bangor University
David R. Chadwick - Bangor University
Davey L. Jones - Bangor University
Publication Details: Applied soil ecology : a section of Agriculture, ecosystems & environment, Vol.202, 105595
Publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Number of pages: 11
Grant note: UK Natural Environment Research Council Global Challenges Research Fund programme on Reducing the Impacts of Plastic Waste in Developing Countries: NE/V005871/1 Centre for Environmental Biotechnology Project - European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) via the Welsh Assembly GovernmentNERC of the National Environmental Isotope Facility (NEIF): NE/V003917/1 HEFCE SRIFUniversity of Bristol
We thank Mark Hughes, Llinos Hughes, Erik Button and Jon Holmberg for their help in setting up the field experiment. We thank Maria del Mar Lopez Rodriguez for her help with sample processing and sample analysis. This study was part of a project funded by the UK Natural Environment Research Council Global Challenges Research Fund programme on Reducing the Impacts of Plastic Waste in Developing Countries (NE/V005871/1) . P.N.G., R.B., G.B.W. and D.L.J. acknowledge the support of the Centre for Environmental Biotechnology Project, part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) via the Welsh Assembly Government. M.K.R., C.E.M.L. and R.P.E. thank NERC for partial funding of the National Environmental Isotope Facility (NEIF; NE/V003917/1) , and HEFCE SRIF and the University of Bristol for funding the GC-IRMS capabilities.
Identifiers: 991005697146507891
Copyright: © 2024 The Authors.
Murdoch Affiliation: Centre for Sustainable Farming Systems
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.45 Soil Science; 3.45.397 Nitrogen Management
Web Of Science research areas: Soil Science
ESI research areas: Agricultural Sciences