Effects of biodegradable mulch film on the growth and quality of open-field watermelon

HE Ying; LIU Yisong; Nazar Nurzoda; ZHANG Wei; YUAN Gaopeng; ZHU Yingchun

doi:10.16861/j.cnki.zggc.2025.0759

Abstract：To investigate the feasibility of replacing tranditioanl PE(polyethylene)mulch with fully biodegradable mulch films in open-field watermelon production in Xinjiang,this study used the watermelon cultivar Zhongnong Meiguan No.2 as the test material.Two biodegradable mulching treatments were established:Transparent fully biodegradable mulch film(TD)and silver/black dual-color fully biodegradable mulch film(SD),with transparent PE mulch film serving as the control group.The study examined the effects of these diffterent mulches on soil temperature and moisture,watermelon vegetative growth,and fruit quality.The results showed that during the vine elongation stage,the PE treatment significant-ly promoted vine growth.However,after the fruit enlargement and maturation stages,both SD and TD treatments signifi-cantly enhanced the daily soil temperature range,the rate of soil water consumption,and plant growth vigor.Notably,the average fruit mass and yield per plant under the SD treatment showed no significant difference from the PE control,whereas its soluble solids content in both the fruit center and rind-side flesh was significantly higher than that under PE,with increases of 5.4%and 11.1%,respectively.In contrast,the TD treatment resulted in significantly lower single-fruit mass and yield than the PE control,with decreases of 7.4%and 7.0%,respectively.While its soluble solids content showed no significant difference from the PE group,it was 5.8%and 6.0%lower in the fruit center and rind-side flesh,re-spectively,compared to the SD treatment.In conclusion,the silver/black dual-color fully biodegradable mulch film(SD)demonstrated significant overall advantages in stabilizing yield and improving fruit quality,providing a valuable reference for green and efficient open-field watermelon production in Xinjiang.