Effects of Different Types of Surface Mulching on Soil Environment and Growth of Forage Crop in Ningxia Dry Farming Area

LI Kai; LUO Shiwu; WANG Zhan; YANG Junxue; WANG Yong; WANG Fei; ZHANG Jiantong

doi:10.15933/j.cnki.1004-3268.2025.01.009

Abstract：To investigate the soil environment and growth characteristics of feed crops under different types of surface mulching,feed corn(C)and feed sorghum(S)were used as materials.Three types of mulching materials,namely permeable plastic film(1),ordinary plastic film(2),and biodegradable plastic film(3),were used for planting.The growth characteristics,biological yield,soil temperature and humidity,nutrients,and enzyme activity of the two crops were measured.The results showed that the plant height and SPAD values of C3 and S3 treatments were lower than those of other treatments.The fresh grass yield of C1 and C2 treatments significantly increased by 23.01％and 26.56％respectively compared to C3 treatment,while the fresh grass yield of S1 and S2 treatments significantly increased by 18.61％and 24.70％respectively compared to S3 treatment.Compared with other treatments,both C3 and S3 treatments generally reduced soil moisture content and temperature.The organic matter and alkaline nitrogen content in C1 and C2 treatments were significantly increased by 14.19％,14.62％,17.64％,and 19.86％,respectively,compared to C3 treatment.The organic matter and alkaline nitrogen content in S1 and S2 treatments were significantly increased by 13.08％,9.63％,38.19％,and 36.32％,respectively,compared to S3 treatment.The activity of soil catalase and sucrase showed the order of C2＞C1＞C3 and S1＞S2＞S3,and both C2 and S1 treatments were significantly higher than other treatments.In summary,ordinary plastic film is suitable for planting feed corn in arid areas of Ningxia,while permeable plastic film is suitable for planting feed sorghum.