Impacts of Degradable Film Mulch on GHG Emissions in Paddy Fields and Rice Yield: A Case Study

Mengmeng Ru, Xiaochan He, Dezheng Shi, Jie Shen, Xiaofang Xu, Jiarong Cui, Zhongxian Lu, Yongming Ruan and Pingyang Zhu ()
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Mengmeng Ru: College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
Xiaochan He: Jinhua Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinhua 321000, China
Dezheng Shi: College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
Jie Shen: College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
Xiaofang Xu: Jinhua Agricultural Technology Extension and Seed Administration Center, Jinhua 321017, China
Jiarong Cui: College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
Zhongxian Lu: College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
Yongming Ruan: College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
Pingyang Zhu: College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 20, 1-16

Abstract: Paddy fields are a key agricultural ecosystem for achieving carbon neutrality in southern China, with significant potential to sequester carbon and mitigate emissions of CO 2 , CH 4 , and N 2 O. Film-covering is an emerging agricultural technique in rice production systems in China. This study evaluated the effects of degradable film coverings on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and rice yield. It provides an assessment of different mulching practices in paddy fields by employing controlled greenhouse experiments as well as field experiments. A key innovative aspect lies in the evaluation of not only different film types but also their varying thicknesses, a factor largely unexamined in previous studies. Greenhouse and field experiments were conducted using three thicknesses of biodegradable films (BMs; 0.01 mm, 0.015 mm, and 0.02 mm), one paper film (PM), and a non-film treatment (CK). Results showed that BM treatments reduced CO 2 and CH 4 emissions by more than 14.01% and 32.17%, respectively, compared with CK in the greenhouse experiment. Additionally, the film-covered treatment increased soil organic carbon content by 32.24–46.66% at rice maturity in the field experiment. These findings suggest that covering rice fields with 0.02 mm BM not only promotes ecological sustainability but also maintains grain yield. These findings provide a viable strategy for environmentally friendly rice production.

Keywords: rice; biodegradable film; paper film; greenhouse gases; yield (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: 2025
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