Substitute for polyethylene (PE) films: A novel attapulgite super absorbent polymer applied in a semi-humid drought-prone region of the Loess Plateau

Residual film and microplastics are widely used to prevent soil water loss in arid farming areas of the Loess Plateau, China; however, pollution and farm land quality decline plaque this management strategy. To address this, a field experiment was conducted at the dry farming demonstration site in H...

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Main Authors: Xiaofan Pan, Hengjia Zhang, Shouchao Yu, Haoliang Deng, Xietian Chen, Chenli Zhou, Fuqiang Li, Haiyan Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-03-01
Series:Agricultural Water Management
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378377425000472
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author Xiaofan Pan
Hengjia Zhang
Shouchao Yu
Haoliang Deng
Xietian Chen
Chenli Zhou
Fuqiang Li
Haiyan Li
author_facet Xiaofan Pan
Hengjia Zhang
Shouchao Yu
Haoliang Deng
Xietian Chen
Chenli Zhou
Fuqiang Li
Haiyan Li
author_sort Xiaofan Pan
collection DOAJ
description Residual film and microplastics are widely used to prevent soil water loss in arid farming areas of the Loess Plateau, China; however, pollution and farm land quality decline plaque this management strategy. To address this, a field experiment was conducted at the dry farming demonstration site in Huating City, Gansu Province to test a novel amendment of attapulgite super absorbent polymer (A-SAP). We tested different A-SAP dosages: 30 (KL), 45 (KM), and 60 kg ha−1 (KH); different coverage methods: transparent plastic film half mulching (WH), transparent plastic film full mulching (WW), black plastic film half mulching (BH), black plastic film full mulching (BW), and straw mulching (SM), with no film and no application of A-SAP as a control (CK). We built a comprehensive growth evaluation system for spring maize, select the best soil moisture conservation strategy, and provide a theoretical basis for sustainable maize production in the semi-arid area of the Loess Plateau. The results showed that all moisture conserving treatments improved soil quality compared with CK, the application of A-SAP was more conducive to rainwater infiltration during precipitation events, increased the number of soil microorganisms and soil enzyme activity, however, there was no effect of increasing soil temperature. Soil moisture retention strategies increased spring maize plant height, stem diameter, leaf area index, and dry matter accumulation, and regulated yield components, promoting spring maize yield formation, improve water productivity and economic benefits. Taking into account indicators such as soil hydrothermal, soil microbial quantity, soil enzyme activity, spring maize growth, yield, water productivity and economic benefit, the application of 45 kg ha−1 attapulgite super absorbent polymer had the best overall effect. Therefore, the application of 45 kg ha−1 of A-SAP can reduce pollution from residual films and microplastics and realize environmental protection while guaranteeing stable yields of spring maize in the semi-humid drought-prone region of the China’s Loess Plateau.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1873-2283
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publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Elsevier
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series Agricultural Water Management
spelling doaj-art-120df4a58bb048c7b06cee1efb07108a2025-02-03T04:16:29ZengElsevierAgricultural Water Management1873-22832025-03-01309109333Substitute for polyethylene (PE) films: A novel attapulgite super absorbent polymer applied in a semi-humid drought-prone region of the Loess PlateauXiaofan Pan0Hengjia Zhang1Shouchao Yu2Haoliang Deng3Xietian Chen4Chenli Zhou5Fuqiang Li6Haiyan Li7College of Agriculture and Biology, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China; College of Civil Engineering, Hexi University, Zhangye 734000, China; College of Water Conservancy and Hydropower Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, ChinaCollege of Agriculture and Biology, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China; Correspondence to: College of Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China.College of Agriculture and Biology, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, ChinaCollege of Civil Engineering, Hexi University, Zhangye 734000, ChinaCollege of Water Conservancy and Hydropower Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, ChinaCollege of Agriculture and Biology, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, ChinaCollege of Water Conservancy and Hydropower Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, ChinaCollege of Water Conservancy and Hydropower Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, ChinaResidual film and microplastics are widely used to prevent soil water loss in arid farming areas of the Loess Plateau, China; however, pollution and farm land quality decline plaque this management strategy. To address this, a field experiment was conducted at the dry farming demonstration site in Huating City, Gansu Province to test a novel amendment of attapulgite super absorbent polymer (A-SAP). We tested different A-SAP dosages: 30 (KL), 45 (KM), and 60 kg ha−1 (KH); different coverage methods: transparent plastic film half mulching (WH), transparent plastic film full mulching (WW), black plastic film half mulching (BH), black plastic film full mulching (BW), and straw mulching (SM), with no film and no application of A-SAP as a control (CK). We built a comprehensive growth evaluation system for spring maize, select the best soil moisture conservation strategy, and provide a theoretical basis for sustainable maize production in the semi-arid area of the Loess Plateau. The results showed that all moisture conserving treatments improved soil quality compared with CK, the application of A-SAP was more conducive to rainwater infiltration during precipitation events, increased the number of soil microorganisms and soil enzyme activity, however, there was no effect of increasing soil temperature. Soil moisture retention strategies increased spring maize plant height, stem diameter, leaf area index, and dry matter accumulation, and regulated yield components, promoting spring maize yield formation, improve water productivity and economic benefits. Taking into account indicators such as soil hydrothermal, soil microbial quantity, soil enzyme activity, spring maize growth, yield, water productivity and economic benefit, the application of 45 kg ha−1 attapulgite super absorbent polymer had the best overall effect. Therefore, the application of 45 kg ha−1 of A-SAP can reduce pollution from residual films and microplastics and realize environmental protection while guaranteeing stable yields of spring maize in the semi-humid drought-prone region of the China’s Loess Plateau.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378377425000472Film mulchingAttapulgite super absorbent polymerSoil environmentSpring maizeYieldEconomic benefits
spellingShingle Xiaofan Pan
Hengjia Zhang
Shouchao Yu
Haoliang Deng
Xietian Chen
Chenli Zhou
Fuqiang Li
Haiyan Li
Substitute for polyethylene (PE) films: A novel attapulgite super absorbent polymer applied in a semi-humid drought-prone region of the Loess Plateau
Agricultural Water Management
Film mulching
Attapulgite super absorbent polymer
Soil environment
Spring maize
Yield
Economic benefits
title Substitute for polyethylene (PE) films: A novel attapulgite super absorbent polymer applied in a semi-humid drought-prone region of the Loess Plateau
title_full Substitute for polyethylene (PE) films: A novel attapulgite super absorbent polymer applied in a semi-humid drought-prone region of the Loess Plateau
title_fullStr Substitute for polyethylene (PE) films: A novel attapulgite super absorbent polymer applied in a semi-humid drought-prone region of the Loess Plateau
title_full_unstemmed Substitute for polyethylene (PE) films: A novel attapulgite super absorbent polymer applied in a semi-humid drought-prone region of the Loess Plateau
title_short Substitute for polyethylene (PE) films: A novel attapulgite super absorbent polymer applied in a semi-humid drought-prone region of the Loess Plateau
title_sort substitute for polyethylene pe films a novel attapulgite super absorbent polymer applied in a semi humid drought prone region of the loess plateau
topic Film mulching
Attapulgite super absorbent polymer
Soil environment
Spring maize
Yield
Economic benefits
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378377425000472
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