New vision on mulching: Rice growth and nitrogen transformation under the control of paper film thickness

Film mulching technology has attracted much attention as an important means to improve the quality and yield of crops. Straw fiber paper film, due to its fully degradable characteristics, has been applied to the green production of various economic crops. This study explored the possibility of large-scale effective application of paper film mulching in water-saving irrigation paddy fields. Through field experiments, it comprehensively analyzed the rice growth characteristics, rice yield, and nitrogen transfer in soil under paper film mulching conditions, and examined the responses of these variables to different layers of paper film mulching thicknesses. The experimental result showed that one layer of paper film was currently the best mulching thickness for water-saving irrigation paddy fields, which ensured environmental friendliness while improving rice yield. Compared with non-mulching, one layer of paper film can increase rice yield by 20.2% and ensure the low level of ammonia volatilization flux. At the same time, it offered more cost-effective solution for weed suppression compared to manual weeding. This study provided the reference for green sustainable cultivation of rice and innovatively development of film mulching technology. • Mulching paper film has a significant positive effect on the rice growth and yield. • Rice growth, yield and nitrogen transfer have different responses to the thicknesses of paper film. • One layer of paper film is currently optimal mulching thickness for water-saving irrigation in paddy fields.