Plastic lm mulching induces signi cant shifts in soil temperature and water balance, thereby in uencing microbial activities, particularly those associated with nitrogen (N) transformations. However, its effects on interactions between N fate and soil N transformations remain unclear.
MethodsWe investigated the complex interplay of soil N transformation processes using a 15 N tracing method, N availability, and N fate under plastic lm mulched ridges (PFM), in contrast to a non-mulched at system (control).
ResultsPFM resulted in 20-28% reduction in gross N mineralization and nitri cation rates and increased rates of gross microbial N immobilization. Maize showed a 19% increase in N uptake and a 127% increase in N accumulation in the PFM-treated soil (up to 80 cm depth) compared to the control. PFM effectively inhibited N leaching, while also reducing N 2 O and NH 3 gas emissions (by 32 kg N ha -1 ). In the early stages of maize growth, PFM-treated soil showed increased N availability due to accelerated rates of gross N mineralization and nitri cation, which in turn bolstered N uptake by both maize and microorganisms. Furthermore, PFM effectively mitigated gaseous N emissions and N leaching, contributing to increased soil N retention and N use e ciency. As the rates of gross N mineralization and nitri cation declined in the later stages of maize growth, PFM maintained substantial N availability. This was achieved by limiting NO 3 leaching and microbial N immobilization, resulting in heightened N uptake and increased maize yield.
ConclusionPlastic lm mulching produced changes in soil N transformation processes that included gross N mineralization, nitri cation, and immobilization rates. These changes manifested in increased N availability, maize N uptake, soil N retention, and reduced N losses.