Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

Biodegradable film mulching reduces the climate cost of saving water without yield penalty in dryland rice production

Haihe Gao, Qin Liu, Daozhi Gong, Hongjin Liu, Lijun Luo, Jixiao Cui, Huanjun Qi, Fen Ma, Wenqing He, Karen Mancl, Changrong Yan, Xurong Mei

Resources Conservation and Recycling · 2023

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Summary

This field study, as suggested by the title, examines biodegradable film mulching as a water-saving practice in dryland rice production. The work appears to assess whether such mulching reduces irrigation demand without compromising yield, whilst evaluating the associated climate costs of mulch production and degradation. The findings suggest that biodegradable film can deliver water savings with climate benefits relative to conventional dryland rice production.

UK applicability

Direct applicability to UK rice production is limited, as commercial rice cultivation is minimal in the UK climate. However, findings on biodegradable mulch materials and their life-cycle climate impacts may inform horticultural practices in temperate systems or inform policy on sustainable mulch alternatives in other crops.

Key measures

Water use efficiency, rice yield, greenhouse gas emissions, carbon footprint, climate cost per unit of production

Outcomes reported

The study evaluated the impact of biodegradable film mulching on water use, crop yield, and climate cost (greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint) in dryland rice production systems.

Theme
Climate & resilience
Subject
Climate & greenhouse gas mitigation
Study type
Research
Study design
Field trial
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
China
System type
Arable cereals
DOI
10.1016/j.resconrec.2023.107071
Catalogue ID
SNmoqqrz5j-25p53d

Topic tags

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