The Effects of Plastic Mulching Combined with Different Fertilizer Applications on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Intensity, and Apple Yield in Northwestern China

Thongsouk Sompouviset, Yanting Ma, Eakkarin Sukkaew, Zhaoxia Zheng, Ai Zhang, Wei Zheng, Ziyan Li and Bingnian Zhai ()
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Thongsouk Sompouviset: College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
Yanting Ma: College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
Eakkarin Sukkaew: College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
Zhaoxia Zheng: College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
Ai Zhang: College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
Wei Zheng: College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
Ziyan Li: College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
Bingnian Zhai: College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China

Agriculture, 2023, vol. 13, issue 6, 1-23

Abstract: Plastic mulching reduces weeds, conserves soil water, and boosts crop yield. However, most studies are insufficient when determining how plastic mulching affects greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly when used in conjunction with fertilizers. The purpose of this study was to determine the combined effect of plastic mulching and fertilizers on GHG emissions in apple orchards. A 3-year field experiment was conducted with two factors: mulching and fertilizers; (1) mulching treatments: plastic film (PM) and no mulching (NM); and (2) four fertilizer treatments: control (CK), organic fertilizer (M), inorganic fertilizer (NPK), and organic combined with inorganic fertilizer (MNPK), arranged in a two factorial randomized complete block design. The results showed that the mean annual N 2 O emissions ranged from 0.87 to 5.07 kg ha −1 in PM and from 0.75 to 2.90 kg ha −1 in NM. The mean CO 2 emissions ranged from 2.10 to 6.68 t ha −1 in PM and from 1.98 to 4.27 t ha −1 in NM. MNPK contributed more to N 2 O and CO 2 emissions in both PM and NM. The mean CH 4 uptake rate ranged from 1.19 to 4.25 kg ha −1 in PM and from 1.14 to 6.75 kg ha −1 in NM. M treatment contributed more to CH 4 uptake in both PM and NM. NKP treatments had higher greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) in PM and NM, while MNPK and NPK treatments had higher greenhouse gas potential (GWP) in PM and NM, respectively. These results suggest that plastic film mulching significantly raises the potential for soil GHG emissions and increases apple yield.

Keywords: plastic mulching; organic combined with inorganic fertilizer; greenhouse gas emissions; nitrous oxide direct emissions factor; apple orchard (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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