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Article

Evaluation of the Effects of Degradable Mulching Film on the Growth, Yield and Economic Benefit of Garlic

by
Jiangping Song
1,
Huixia Jia
1,
Yang Wang
1,
Xiaohui Zhang
1,
Wenlong Yang
1,
Tingting Zhang
1,
Naijian Wang
2,
Jianqiang Yang
3 and
Haiping Wang
1,*
1
State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
2
Jinxiang County of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jining 272200, China
3
Shandong Jinchunyu Seed Technology Co., Ltd., Jining 272200, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Agronomy 2025, 15(1), 93; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15010093
Submission received: 19 October 2024 / Revised: 17 December 2024 / Accepted: 28 December 2024 / Published: 31 December 2024
(This article belongs to the Section Soil and Plant Nutrition)
Browse Figure
Versions Notes

Abstract

:
Polyethylene mulch film (PEM) is widely utilized in garlic cultivation, significantly enhancing garlic yield. However, the prolonged use of this material leads to serious environmental issues that adversely affect soil health and plant growth. To promote the adoption of biodegradable mulch film (BDM) in garlic cultivation, we investigate the effects of BDMs with thicknesses of 0.006 mm, 0.008 mm, and 0.010 mm on garlic growth and soil properties, comparing them with the commonly used PEM 0.008 mm. The results indicated that the agronomic traits of garlic were significantly improved under both PEM and BDMs compared to no mulching, with yield increases ranging from 75.42% to 90.39%. The highest garlic yield was observed with the BDM 0.008 mm. Most above-ground agronomic traits of garlic did not exhibit significant differences between PEM and BDMs, although a few traits showed slight increases under the BDMs 0.008 mm and 0.010 mm. The quality characteristics of garlic bulbs, including the contents of soluble sugar, vitamin C, and allicin, did not differ significantly between PEM and BDMs. Soil temperature was significantly higher under both PEM and BDMs compared to no mulching. In comparison to PEM 0.008 mm, the application of BDMs 0.006 mm and 0.008 mm significantly enhanced potassium availability in the soil. Furthermore, the activities of catalase, phosphatase, and invertase were notably increased under the BDM 0.008 mm, suggesting that this type of mulch could improve the physicochemical properties of the soil. Additionally, the BDM 0.008 mm remained intact throughout the low-temperature overwintering period, began to partially degrade as temperatures rose in March and April, and exhibited considerable fragmentation during the maturity and harvest periods of garlic. Its degradation rate was well aligned with the growth requirements of garlic. Taken together, these findings suggested that the BDM 0.008 mm is particularly effective, resulting in significant yield increase and an appropriate degradation rate. These results provided a valuable reference for the selection and application of BDM in garlic cultivation.

1. Introduction

Plastic products have been extensively utilized across various sectors, including industry, agriculture, and daily life, due to their excellent performance and cost-effectiveness [1,2]. In agricultural fields, plastic mulch film enhances crop yield and quality through increasing soil temperature, conserving soil moisture, suppressing weed growth, providing the micro-climate, and other beneficial factors [3,4,5]. As a crucial raw material, polyethylene (PE) is commonly utilized in the production of plastic film [2]. However, the widespread application of PE mulch film (PEM) in the early stages in agriculture poses significant challenges due to its difficult degradability. The processes of the application, removal, and disposal of PEM are labor-intensive and costly. Furthermore, prolonged usage has resulted in substantial amounts of plastic residues, which disrupt soil permeability, water content, seed moisture, and nutrient absorption, ultimately hindering crop seed germination and growth [2,6,7]. To address this issue, numerous research and development efforts, along with evaluation demonstration studies, have been undertaken on degradable agricultural films.
Biodegradable mulch film (BDM) represents a novel category of agricultural mulch films derived from degradable polymer materials, such as polybutylene succinate, polylactic acid, polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate, and carbon dioxide-propylene oxide copolymer [3,8]. These materials can be decomposed by microorganisms into carbon dioxide, water, and methane under natural conditions [8]. BMF not only retains the functionality of conventional PEM and mitigates the issues of residues and pollution of PEM but also allows for the control of the degradation rate in accordance with crop growth requirements [9]. This indicates that BDM is promising alternative for minimizing environmental pollution caused by conventional plastics [5]. Currently, BDM has been tested and shown to be effective in various crops, including tomato, cotton, cucumber, cabbage, pakchoi, and soybean [1,2,10]. Future research will need to explore its application in more crops.
Garlic (Allium sativum L.) belongs to the genus Allium within the Liliaceae family and is recognized an important flavoring and health-promoting vegetable. China is the world’s largest producer of garlic, with the largest planting area and output. The annual planting area has exceeded 800,000 hectares, yielding an output of 23–24 million tons, which accounts for approximately 78% of the global production (FAOSTAT 2022). In recent years, garlic has increasingly been processed into various products, including garlic extract, garlic essential oil, garlic powder allicin, and black garlic, all of which have demonstrated significant economic benefits [11,12]. Garlic is rich in organic sulfur compounds, saponins, flavonoids, polyphenols, and other bioactive ingredients, which contribute to its medicinal properties. These properties include anti-inflammatory effects, sterilization, lowering blood pressure and lipids, antioxidation activity, and prevention of cardiovascular disease and diabetes [13,14].
Garlic is a long-season crop typically planted in early October and harvested in mid-to-late May of the following year in China, resulting in a growth cycle of 7 to 8 months. The primary regions for garlic production in China are the provinces of Shandong, Henan, and Hebei. Due to the low winter temperatures in these main production regions, freezing damage can lead to significant reductions in both the quantity and quality of garlic. Currently, conventional PEM is extensively utilized in garlic cultivation, significantly improving improve the yield and quality of garlic [15]. However, its prolonged use causes structure change and productivity reduction of soil, while its residue obstructs the exchange of water and gas in the soil. This issue adversely impacts soil health and plant growth, ultimately leading to reduced yields. As an environmentally friendly solution, BDM can effectively solve this problem while maintaining the ecological balance of the soil. The development and evaluation of BDM specifically designed for garlic cultivation can promote sustainable agricultural practices and reduce soil pollution, representing a crucial direction for advancing garlic planting management technologies in the future. Previous studies have demonstrated that biodegradable plastic film mulching is an effective strategy for achieving both high crop yields and environmental benefits in garlic production [16]. However, comprehensive trials of fully biodegradable films in garlic cultivation have yet to be thoroughly conducted.
To promote the application of BDM in garlic cultivation, we compared the primary agronomic traits and yield of garlic, as well as the physicochemical properties and enzyme activities of the soil, under three conditions: no mulching, PEM, and BDMs of varying thicknesses, in the main garlic production area. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of degradable mulching film on garlic growth and soil properties, as well as to screen suitable BDM for garlic cultivation.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Plant Materials and Its Growing Environment

A comparative test of BDM and PEM in garlic cultivation was conducted in an experimental field located in Jinxiang County, Jining City, Shandong Province, China. The local average annual rainfall is about 700 mm, and the frost-free period is pproximately 140 days. The local landscape is plain. The local soil type is classified as Hydragric Anthrosols, according to the World Reference Base for Soil resources (WRB) classification system. The local main variety of garlic, ‘Taikong’, was used as the test material. On 10 October 2023, garlic cloves with uniform size were sown, spaced 10 cm apart in rows and 20 cm apart in columns. Field management was performed according to normal cultivation practices.

2.2. Mulch Experiment and Sampling

The mulch experiment was designed to include no mulching; PEM with thicknesses of 0.008 mm (Jinan New Three Plastic Industry Co., Ltd., Jinan, Shandong, China); and BDMs with thicknesses of 0.006 mm, 0.008 mm, and 0.010 mm (Hua Xin Plastic Co., Ltd., Jining, Shandong, China). Both the PEM and the BDMs were white and have a width of 2 m. The different mulch films were placed in the field using a farm tractor. For each mulching condition, garlic was planted in six furrows, serving as six experimental replicates. The furrows were 15 m in length and 2 m in width. Garlic bulbs were collected manually at harvest (18 May 2024) for trait measurement and nutritional quality determination. For each replicate, 30 bulbs were sampled, with half designated for trait measurement and the other half for nutritional quality assessment. Three biological replicates were conducted. To assess soil physicochemical properties and enzyme activity, soil samples were collected before planting (9 October 2023) and at harvest (18 May 2024) using a soil sampler auger that penetrated to a depth of 15 cm. Soil samples from three sites under different mulching films were taken as three biological replicates, with each sample weighing 200 g. Following collection, the garlic bulbs and soil samples were transported to the laboratory for analysis.

2.3. Measurement of Agronomic Traits of Garlic and Economic Benefits

The agronomic traits of garlic at both the seedling and mature stages were examined under five conditions: no mulching, PEM 0.008 mm, BDM 0.006 mm, BDM 0.008 mm, and BDM 0.010 mm. The measurements included plant height, plant width, leaf length, leaf width, number of leaves per plant, pseudostem height, pseudostem diameter, bolt height, and bulb weight, following the garlic descriptors developed by the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute [17] and the garlic descriptors and data standard [18]. Plant height, plant width, leaf length, leaf width, pseudostem height, and bolt height were measured using a ruler, while the pseudostem diameter was determined with a vernier caliper. Bulb weight was weighed using an electronic balance (Mettler Toledo, Zurich, Switzerland), and the number of leaves per plant was counted manually. The economic benefit was evaluated based on the yield of garlic bulbs, net profit, and the ratio of output to input. The net profit was calculated as the total of the output minus the total of the input, while the ratio of output to input was determined by dividing the total of the output by the total of the input.

2.4. Determination of Nutritional Quality of Garlic Bulbs

The vitamin C content was determined using the 2,6-dichlorophenol-indophenol titration method [19]. Initially, 4.0 g of garlic cloves was weighed and placed into a mortar, followed by the addition of 5 mL of 2% oxalic acid. The mixture was then ground quickly to create a homogenate. The resulting sample extract was filtered and transferred to a 50 mL volumetric flask. The residue was repeatedly rinsed with 2% oxalic acid, and the filtrate was combined, with the final volume adjusted to 50 mL. Subsequently, 10 mL of the extract was placed in a 50 mL triangular flask and titrated immediately with a 2,6-dichloroindophenol solution until a persistent pink color was observed.
The allicin content was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography [20]. Garlic cloves were sliced into small pieces measuring 0.2 cm, freeze-dried for 48 h, ground into powder, and sifted through a 400 mesh. Subsequently, 400 mg of the powder was weighed into a 50 mL centrifuge tube, to which 15 mL of cold water was added. The mixture was shaken vigorously for 15 s, followed by the incorporation of an additional 15 mL of cold water, which was mixed for 30 s. The sample was then centrifuged for 10 min at 8000× g at 4 °C. The supernatant was filtered through a 0.45 µm membrane into a UPLC test bottle. A Waters ACQUITY UPLC system was utilized for analysis, controlled by Waters Empower software 3.0. The detection wavelength was set to 254 nm. Finally, the allicin content was determined based on the standard curve for allicin.
The water-soluble sugar content was determined using the anthrone–sulfuric acid colorimetric method with some modifications [21]. Initially, garlic cloves were ground in a mortar, and 0.2 g of the resulting powder was weighed into a 10 mL centrifuge tube. Subsequently, 5 mL of distilled water was added, and the mixture was heated in boiling water for 30 min. After cooling, the solution was filtered and transferred into a 25 mL volumetric flask (Separation, Darmstadt, Germany). This process of dissolution and filtration was repeated three times. The volume was then adjusted to the mark with distilled water. Next, 0.2 mL of the sample extract was taken and mixed with 2.3 mL of distilled water, followed by the addition of 7.5 mL of anthrone reagent, which was prepared by dissolving 100 mg of anthracene in 500 mL of sulfuric acid. After thorough shaking to ensure proper mixing, the soluble sugar content was measured at 630 nm using a UV–Vis spectrophotometer (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Cleveland, OH, USA). Finally, the content of soluble sugar was determined based on the standard curve for soluble sugar.

2.5. Soil Temperature Measurement

Soil temperature measurement was conducted using a temperature measuring probe (HOBO, Bourne, MA, USA), which was buried 10 cm deep in the soil to automatically measure and record the soil temperature. The soil temperature was recorded every half hour to calculate the average daily temperature. Upon completion of the measurements, the probe was removed, and the data were subsequently exported for analysis.

2.6. Determination of Soil Physicochemical Properties and Enzyme Activity

The soil physicochemical characteristics, including organic matter content, total nitrogen content, available phosphorus content, available potassium content, and pH value, were measured. The organic matter content was assessed using the volumetric method with chromic acid [22]. The total nitrogen content in the soil was determined to Chinese national standard GB 7173-1987 The available phosphorus content was measured using colorimetric analysis [23], while the available potassium content was evaluated through flame spectrophotometry [24]. Additionally, the soil pH was measured employing the potentiometric method with PHS-3C (Leici, Shanghai, China) [25].
The measurement of soil enzyme activity is of great significance for evaluating soil fertility [26]. Soil urease activity was determined using a colorimetric method [27] and expressed as the mass of NH4-N per gram of soil after 24 h. The fresh soil sample was thoroughly mixed with toluene. Subsequently, urea and citrate solution were added, and the mixture was shaken and incubated at 37 °C for 24 h. After filtering, 1 mL of the filtrate was combined with sodium phenol solution and sodium hypochlorite solution. The resulting mixture was allowed to stand for 20 min for color development; after which, the absorbance was measured using a microplate reader (VICTOR Nivo, Waltham, MA, USA) at a wavelength of 578 nm. Soil catalase activity was measured using potassium permanganate titration and expressed as milliliters of 0.1 mol/L potassium permanganate consumed per gram of soil after 20 min [28]. Phosphatase activity was quantified using phenylene disodium phosphate colorimetry and expressed as milligrams of phenol released from one gram of soil after 24 h [29]. Soil invertase activity was assessed using the 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid solution method and expressed as milligrams of glucose per gram of soil after 24 h [30].

2.7. Criteria of Degradation of Mulch Film

The BMF was categorized into five distinct periods: (1) induction period, which refers to the time from the application of the mulch until the mulch film exhibits multiple natural cracks or holes (with a diameter ≤2 cm and more than three per extended meter) on the ridge or furrow surface; (2) cracking period, during which natural cracks or holes (with diameters ranging from ≥2 cm to <20 cm) appear on the mulch film surface of the ridge or furrow; (3) big cracking stage, characterized by the emergence of natural cracks or holes larger than 20 cm in diameter on the mulch film surface of the ridge or furrow; (4) fragmentation period, defined as the time when the mulch film on the ridge (border) surface loses its flexibility, resulting in fragmentation, with the maximum area of the mulch film fragments being ≤16 cm2; and (5) film-free period, which is marked by the absence of significant mulch film fragments on the ridge or furrow surface.

2.8. Data Processing

The data on garlic agronomic traits, soil physicochemical properties, and enzyme activity were collected using Excel and analyzed statistically with SPSS 18.0 software. Data were shown as means and standard error. For comparisons involving more than two conditions, Duncan’s multiple range test was utilized to assess differences, which were deemed significant if p < 0.05. In cases involving two conditions, a t-test was employed to identify significant differences.

3. Results

3.1. Primary Agronomic Traits of the Above-Ground Part of Garlic

The agronomic traits of garlic at both the seedling and mature stages were examined under five conditions. The measurements indicated that both PEM and BDMs significantly improved the agronomic properties of garlic compared to the no mulching. At the seedling stage, the agronomic characteristics of the above-ground parts of garlic under different mulching films are presented in Table 1. The plant height under PEM and BDMs increased by 68.6% to 69.9% relative to no mulching, while the plant width under PEM and BDMs showed an increase of 99.9% to 111.6% compared to no mulching. Additionally, the traits of leaf and pseudostem exhibited significant increases under PEM and BDMs, with the maximum increase in leaf length ranging from 70.4% to 73.9%. Notably, there was no significant difference in the growth characteristics of garlic at the seedling stage between PEM and BDMs.
At the mature stage, the agronomic characteristics of the above-ground parts of garlic under different mulching films are presented in Table 2. The plant height under PEM and BDMs exhibited increased by 18.5% to 21.2% compared with no mulching, while the plant width exhibited an increase of 27.8% to 32.5%. Additionally, significant increases were observed in leaf length, leaf width, pseudostem diameter, and bolt length under PEM and BDMs relative to the no mulching. However, the number of leaves and pseudostem height did not exhibit significant differences across five treatments. Under BDM 0.010 mm, both the leaf width and pseudostem diameter of garlic were greater than those observed with PEM and other BDMs. Furthermore, under BDM 0.008 mm, the bolt length of garlic surpassed that observed with both PEM and other BDMs.
This result indicated that mulching film could significantly enhance the growth and development of garlic. However, the effects of PEM and BDMs on most above-ground agronomic traits of garlic were not significant, with only a few traits exhibiting slight improvements under BDMs 0.008 mm and 0.010 mm at the mature stage.

3.2. Garlic Bulb Yield and Economic Benefits Analysis

The garlic bulb yield was assessed based on bulb weight, while the economic benefit was evaluated through the bulb yield, net profit, and the ratio of output to input. Under the no mulching condition, the garlic yield was 12,811.8 kg/ha. Based on a market price of 9 RMB per kg, this resulted in a total output of 115,306.6 RMB/ha, with an input cost of 56,072 RMB/ha, leading to a net profit of 59,234.2 RMB/ha. The ratio of output to input was 2.1. In contrast, under PEM 0.008 mm, the garlic yield increased to 23,859.7 kg/ha, representing an 86.2% improvement compared to no mulching; the net profit rose to 157,465.8 RMB/ha, and the ratio of output to input significantly increased to 3.8, indicating a marked advantage over the no mulching. Under BDMs, the garlic yield ranged from 22,475 kg/ha to 24,392.2 kg/ha, which was 75.4% to 90.4% higher than that under no mulching. The net profit was 143,204.2–160,460 RMB/ha, and the ratio of output to input was 3.4–3.7. Thereinto, the yield, net profit, and ratio of output to input of garlic were highest under BDM 0.008 mm, which were 24,392.2 kg/ha, 160,460 RMB/ha, and 3.7, respectively (Table 3), indicating that the BDM 0.008 mm had outstanding performance in enhancing garlic yield and economic benefits.

3.3. Nutritional Characteristics of Garlic Bulbs

To investigate the effects of PEM and BDM on garlic bulb quality, we studied the appearance and nutritional characteristics of the bulbs, including soluble sugar, vitamin C content, and allicin content, under PEM 0.008 mm and BDM 0.008 mm (Table 4). The external appearance of the bulbs, encompassing external shape and skin color, did not exhibit significant changes between the PEM and BDM. Furthermore, measurements of the nutritional quality revealed no significant difference between the PEM and BDM. This finding suggested that PEM and BDM had no significant impact on the quality of garlic.

3.4. Effects of Different Mulching Films on Soil Temperature

The soil temperature was recorded every half hour using a temperature-measuring probe to determine the average daily temperature under no mulching, PEM 0.008 mm, and BDM 0.008 mm (Figure 1). It was observed that the average daily soil temperature dropped to 0 °C under no mulching on several occasions between 61 and 107 days after sowing, reaching a minimum of −3.6 °C. In contrast, the average daily soil temperature under both PEM 0.008 mm and BDM 0.008 mm was significantly higher than that observed under no mulching, particularly during the winter months from mid-November to mid-March (31 to 149 days after planting). Under the conditions of PEM 0.008 mm and BDM 0.008 mm, the daily average soil temperature was similar, with no significant difference.

3.5. Soil Physicochemical Properties

The measurement of soil physicochemical characteristics is illustrated in Table 5. Compared to the pre-planting condition, the organic matter content significantly decreased under no mulching, as well as under PEM and BDMs, at the time of garlic harvest. Conversely, the pH value demonstrated an opposite trend, the lowest before planting. The total nitrogen content significantly increased under PEM 0.008 mm and BDM 0.006 mm. The soil available potassium content significantly increased under BDMs 0.006 mm and 0.008 mm. Additionally, there was no significant difference in the available phosphorus content across the conditions of before planting, no mulching, PEM, and BDMs.

3.6. Soil Enzyme Activities

The activities of catalase, urease, phosphatase, and invertase were measured to investigate the effects of PEM and BDMs on soil enzyme activities (Table 6). There was no significant difference in urease activity between PEM 0.008 mm and BDM 0.008 mm. In contrast, the activities of phosphatase and invertase were significantly enhanced under the BDM 0.008 mm compared to the PEM 0.008 mm, with the phosphatase activity increasing by 79.6%, followed by invertase activity, which increased by 61.9%. Additionally, the catalase activity showed a slight increase under the BDM 0.008 mm compared to the PEM 0.008 mm.

3.7. Comparison of Degradation Rate of Mulch Film

The degradation rates of PEM and BDMs during the garlic growth period were evaluated across five stages of mulch degradation (Table 7). It was found that the degradation rate of PEM 0.008 mm was the slowest, remaining in the induction period at the time of garlic bulb harvest. In contrast, the BDM 0.010 mm was observed to be in the cracking stage during the same harvest period. Additionally, the BDMs 0.006 mm and 0.008 mm exhibited faster degradation rates, entering the fragmentation period at the time of garlic bulb harvest and leaving only minimal residual film. Notably, the BDM 0.008 mm remained non-degraded during low-temperature periods, began to partially degrade as temperatures increased from March to April, and displayed significant fragmentation during the maturity and harvest periods, indicating that its degradation rate was suitable for the growth of garlic bulbs.

4. Discussion

Film mulching technology significantly enhances crop yields and has made substantial contributions to ensure food security and increase the vegetable production capacity [4,31]. To mitigate the issue of ‘white pollution’ caused by PEM, there is an urgent industrial need for BDM, which also presents promising application prospects [32]. This study demonstrated that, compared to no mulching, the primary agronomic traits and yield of garlic were significantly improved when covered with either PEM or BDM, consistent with studies on maize and cotton [33]. The bulb yield under BDM 0.008 mm was 24,392.2 kg/ha, which was higher than that under PEM 0.008 mm, yielding 23,859.7 kg/ha (Table 3), confirming a previous investigation that reported higher yields with some biodegradable materials compared to PE [5]. Although the ratio of output to input for BDMs, ranging from 3.4 to 3.7, was slightly lower than that of PEM at 3.8 (Table 3), when considering the recycling costs associated with PEM and its environmental impact, the overall benefits of BDM surpassed those of conventional PEM. Therefore, BDM represented a suitable option for garlic production that merits further promotion and utilization.
The thickness of biodegradable membranes is a crucial factor that influences both their performance and production costs. An excessively thick biodegradable film leads to increased production costs, while a film that is too thin is susceptible to cracking. In this study, among three BDMs with different thicknesses, the BDM 0.008 mm significantly improved garlic yield (Table 3) and demonstrated an appropriate degradation period (Table 7). The BDM 0.008 mm remained intact during the low-temperature period but began to partially degrade as temperatures rose from March to April, exhibiting significant fragmentation during the maturity and harvest period. In contrast, the BDM 0.006 mm cracked during the low-temperature period in February, adversely affecting the safe overwintering of garlic. The BDM 0.010 mm was in the cracking stage at the time of garlic harvest, lacking substantial cracks and fragments and failing to demonstrate the appropriate degradation characteristics of a degradable film. Therefore, the degradation rate of the BDM 0.008 mm was more suitable for the growth requirements of garlic. Additionally, the BDM 0.008 mm has also demonstrated excellent performance in cabbage, yielding the most significant increase and possessing an appropriate degradation period [34]. The findings of this study provided an important reference for selecting BDMs during garlic planting and cultivation.
Previous studies have reported that biodegradable plastics positively affect the decomposition of soil organic matter (https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/soil-organic-matter) (accessed on 7 October 2023) [35]. In this study, we observed a significant decrease in the content of soil organic matter at the time of garlic harvest compared to before planting. This decline could be explained by the consumption of mineral ions for garlic growth. However, no statistically significant differences in organic matter content were observed under no mulching, as well as under PEM and BDMs. This lack of difference might be due to the fact that the mulch films were just beginning to be implemented in our experimental fields; a more pronounced difference might occur if the practice was to be employed over many years. Under the no mulching, the bulb yield of garlic was lowest, while the organic matter content was highest at harvest time, potentially due to the replenishment of soil carbon with plant residues. Furthermore, the BDM 0.008 mm significantly increased the soil available potassium and the activities of phosphatase and invertase (Table 5 and Table 6). This finding supported previous studies indicating that biodegradable plastics positively influenced the soil physicochemical properties and enzyme activity (https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/enzyme-activity) (accessed on 7 October 2023) [35,36,37]. This increase might be attributed to the promotion of garlic bulb growth under the BDM 0.008 mm.
Through monitoring experimental data, this study found no significant difference in garlic yield and quality between the PEM and the BDM (Table 3 and Table 4). Notably, the degradation rate of the biodegradable film was significantly higher than that of the PEM (Table 7), and the application of biodegradable film improved the physicochemical properties of soil. A comprehensive comparison of output, economic benefit analysis, temperature increase, moisture retention performance, and film degradation speed revealed that the BDM performed exceptionally well. Given that the characteristics of BDM are significantly influenced by the materials used, crop growth cycles, and regional environmental factors, it is challenging to generalize their degradation performance and residual conditions [38,39]. In the future, it is still necessary to strengthen the extensive experimental research of multi-year BDM in garlic in several research areas.
Currently, although BDM have been utilized in demonstration applications across various crops, their widespread adoption faces several challenges [40]. The primary issues included inadequate rupture time, degradation controllability, and high market prices compared to PEM [5,39,41]. Thus, farmers exhibited a low level of recognition and adoption of these materials. Moving forward, it was essential to enhance research and development efforts for BDM to improve their performance and stability while also reducing production costs. Furthermore, increasing subsidy standards for the BDM, along with enhanced publicity, could raise farmers’ awareness and understanding of their benefits, encouraging active adoption. It was also important to leverage the demonstration and leadership roles of agricultural enterprises and large growers to accelerate the promotion of BDM, ultimately fostering the green and sustainable development of agriculture.

5. Conclusions

In this study, the agronomic traits of garlic were significantly enhanced under both PEM and BDMs compared to the un-mulched control. The high garlic yield was observed with the BDM 0.008 mm. The BDMs 0.006 mm and 0.008 mm significantly increased potassium availability in the soil. Additionally, the activities of phosphatase and invertase were notably enhanced under the BDM 0.008 mm. Furthermore, the BDM 0.008 mm exhibited a suitable degradation rate that aligned well with the growth requirements of garlic. Collectively, these findings suggested that the BDM 0.008 mm was the most suitable for garlic production, resulting in a significant yield increase and an appropriate degradation rate.

Author Contributions

J.S. and H.W.: conceptualization, methodology, and visualization; J.S. and H.J.: investigation and writing—original draft; H.J., Y.W., X.Z., W.Y. and T.Z.: investigation, data survey, and visualization; N.W. and J.Y.: investigation and data survey; J.S. and H.W.: editing, supervision, and funding acquisition. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2021YFD1700700); National Key Research and Development Program of China (2023YFD1600200); National Modern Agricultural Industry Technology System Construction Special Fund Project (CARS-24-A-01); Key Research and Development Program of Shandong Province of China (2022LZGCQY015-03 and 2024LZGC015-02); Natural Science Foundation of China (32172566, 32272731, and 31872946); and Innovation Engineering Project of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS-ASTIP-2021-IVF).

Data Availability Statement

The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article, and further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

Conflicts of Interest

Author J. Y. was employed by the company Shandong Jinchunyu Seed Technology Co., Ltd. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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Agronomy 15 00093 g001
Figure 1. Comparison of the daily average soil temperature from 9 November 2023 to 9 May 2024 under different mulching films.
Figure 1. Comparison of the daily average soil temperature from 9 November 2023 to 9 May 2024 under different mulching films.
Agronomy 15 00093 g001
Table 1. Agronomic characteristics of above-ground parts of garlic at the seedling stage under different mulching films.
Table 1. Agronomic characteristics of above-ground parts of garlic at the seedling stage under different mulching films.
ConditionsPlant Height (cm)Plant Width (cm)Leaf Length (cm)Leaf Width (mm)Number of LeavesPseudostem Height (cm)Pseudostem
Diameter (cm)
No mulching18 ± 2.7 b21.7 ± 3.2 b16.4 ± 2.7 b11.8 ± 0.8 b5.4 ± 0.6 b1.6 ± 0.5 b6.4 ± 0.5 b
PEM 0.008 mm30.5 ± 3.1 a45.3 ± 6.2 a28.6 ± 2.7 a14.9 ± 1.5 a6.9 ± 0.3 a2.2 ± 0.2 a7.7 ± 0.6 a
BDM 0.006 mm30.3 ± 1.7 a43.3 ± 2.6 a28 ± 1.8 a14.5 ± 0.6 a6.8 ± 0.2 a2.1 ± 0.3 a7.4 ± 0.5 a
BDM 0.008 mm30.3 ± 2.2 a44.6 ± 3.3 a28 ± 2.7 a14 ± 0.5 a6.7 ± 0.2 a2.2 ± 0.2 a7.4 ± 0.4 a
BDM 0.010 mm30.4 ± 2.0 a45.8 ± 4.8 a28.4 ± 1.5 a14.2 ± 0.5 a6.9 ± 0.2 a2.1 ± 0.2 a7.5 ± 0.1 a
The same letter for each measured trait indicates no significant difference, while the different letters indicate significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) across the five conditions.
Table 2. Agronomic characteristics of above-ground parts of garlic at the mature stage under different mulching films.
Table 2. Agronomic characteristics of above-ground parts of garlic at the mature stage under different mulching films.
ConditionsPlant Height (cm)Plant Width (cm)Leaf Length (cm)Leaf Width (mm)Number of LeavesPseudostem Height (cm)Pseudostem Diameter (cm)Bolt Length (cm)
No mulching73.1 ± 6.2 b36.3 ± 3.1 b44. ± 4.3 b26.5 ± 3.0 c6.8 ± 0.6 a32.8 ± 4.0 a12.1 ± 1.4 c45.6 ± 3.7 c
PEM 0.008 mm87.8 ± 5.5 a47.4 ± 6.6 a59.1 ± 4.3 a31.8 ± 3.2 ab7.3 ± 0.5 a33.9 ± 2.3 a14.6 ± 2.0 ab70.2 ± 6.7 ab
BDM 0.006 mm 86.6 ± 4.1 a46.7 ± 4.9 a54.8 ± 3.2 a30.4 ± 2.7 b7.1 ± 0.7 a35.9 ± 4.5 a14.9 ± 1.8 ab65.9 ± 6.7 b
BDM 0.008 mm 87.3 ± 2.5 a46.8 ± 4.8 a56.2 ± 3.0 a31.7 ± 4.7 ab6.9 ± 0.8 a35.8 ± 3.6 a14.9 ± 1.6 ab72.9 ± 6.6 a
BDM 0.010 mm 88.6 ± 2.8 a48.1 ± 3.9 a58.7 ± 2.2 a34.5 ± 1.8 a7.1 ± 0.3 a36.2 ± 3.2 a16.4 ± 1.6 a67.5 ± 6.3 b
The same letter for each measured trait indicates no significant difference, while the different letters indicate significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) across the five conditions.
Table 3. Garlic yield and economic benefits analysis under different mulching films.
Table 3. Garlic yield and economic benefits analysis under different mulching films.
ConditionsOutputInputNet Profit (RMB/ha)Ratio of Output to Input
Bulb Weight
(g)		Bulb Yield
(kg/ha)		Total of Output (RMB/ha)Fertilizer
(RMB/ha)		Mulching Film (RMB/ha)Garlic Cloves
(RMB/ha)		Pesticide
(RMB/ha)		Water Cost
(RMB/ha)		Labor Cost
(RMB/ha)		Mulch Recycling Cost
(RMB/ha)		Total of Input
(RMB/ha)
No mulching34.2 ± 2.012,811.8 ± 758.3115,306.611,994011,9941499.3599.729,985056,07259,234.22.1
PEM 0.008 mm63.7 ± 1.723,859.7 ± 646.2214,73711,994599.711,9941499.3599.729,985599.757,271.4157,465.83.8
BDM 0.006 mm61.2 ± 1.622,947.8 ± 599.6206,530.411,9942248.911,9941499.3599.729,985056,072147,460.63.5
BDM 0.008 mm65.1 ± 2.024,392.2 ± 753.4219,529.811,9943148.411,9941499.3599.729,985057,271.4160,4603.7
BDM 0.010 mm60 ± 2.322,475 ± 877.8202,274.711,9943598.211,9941499.3599.729,985058,320.8143,204.23.4
Table 4. Comparison of nutritional quality of garlic bulbs between PEM and BDM.
Table 4. Comparison of nutritional quality of garlic bulbs between PEM and BDM.
Nutritional QualityPEM 0.008 mmBDM 0.008 mm
Soluble sugar content (%)24 ± 1.123.3 ± 1.4
Vitamin C content (mg/100 g)4.3 ± 0.24.4 ± 0.2
Allicin content (g/100 g)0.3 ± 0.030.3 ± 0.02
Table 5. Comparison of the soil physicochemical properties under different mulching films.
Table 5. Comparison of the soil physicochemical properties under different mulching films.
ConditionsOrganic Matter Content (%)Total Nitrogen Content (g/kg)Available Phosphorus Content (mg/kg)Available Potassium Content (μg/kg)pH Value
Before planting3.7 ± 0.2 a1.1 ± 0.04 b27.3 ± 3.4 a230.5 ± 19.1 bc7 ± 0.09 b
No mulching2.8 ± 0.4 b1.2 ± 0.2 ab28.5 ± 3.1 a260.3 ± 20.3 b7.5 ± 0.02 a
PEM 0.008 mm2.8 ± 0.4 b1.3 ± 0.2 a30.5 ± 2 a290.5 ± 16.9 b7.4 ± 0.03 a
BDM 0.006 mm2.7 ± 0.5 b1.2 ± 0.2 a29.9 ± 3.3 a340.1 ± 43.4 a7.4 ± 0.05 a
BDM 0.008 mm2.5 ± 0.5 b1.2 ± 0.06 ab29.2 ± 2.6 a314.3 ± 20.1 a7.3 ± 0.05 a
BDM 0.010 mm2.4 ± 0.4 b1.1 ± 0.02 b29.9 ± 0.5 a296 ± 25.6 ab7.5 ± 0.04 a
The same letter for each measured characteristic indicates no significant difference, while the different letters indicate significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) across the six conditions.
Table 6. Comparison of soil enzyme activities between PEM and BDM.
Table 6. Comparison of soil enzyme activities between PEM and BDM.
Soil Enzyme ActivitiesPEM 0.008 mmBDM 0.008 mm
Catalase activity
(ml (20 mM KMnO4) g−1 h−1)		0.7 ± 0.31.1 ± 0.1 *
Urease activity
(μg NH4+-N·g−1 24 h−1)		0.06 ± 0.020.07 ± 0.01
Phosphatase activity
(μg PNP·g−1 h−1)		108.5 ± 22.3194.8 ± 12.5 *
Invertase activity
(mg glucose·g−1 24 h−1)		20.5 ± 333.1 ± 1.3 *
The asterisk * indicated the significant difference between PEM 0.008 mm and BDM 0.008 mm at the p < 0.01 level, and no asterisk indicated a non-significant difference.
Table 7. Comparison of the degradation rate between PEM and BDMs.
Table 7. Comparison of the degradation rate between PEM and BDMs.
ConditionsInduction PeriodCracking PeriodBig Cracking StageFragmentation PeriodFilm-Free Period
PEM 0.008 mm2024.4.11–2024.5.18UnreachedUnreachedUnreachedUnreached
BDM 0.006 mm2023.11.9–2024.2.102024.2.11–2024.3.102024.3.11–2024.4.202024.4.21–2024.5.18Unreached
BDM 0.008 mm2023.11.29–2024.4.82024.4.9–2024.4.202024.4.21–2024.5.82024.5.9–2024.5.18Unreached
BDM 0.010 mm2024.3.29–2024.4.202024.4.21–2024.5.18UnreachedUnreachedUnreached
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Song, J.; Jia, H.; Wang, Y.; Zhang, X.; Yang, W.; Zhang, T.; Wang, N.; Yang, J.; Wang, H. Evaluation of the Effects of Degradable Mulching Film on the Growth, Yield and Economic Benefit of Garlic. Agronomy 2025, 15, 93. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15010093

AMA Style

Song J, Jia H, Wang Y, Zhang X, Yang W, Zhang T, Wang N, Yang J, Wang H. Evaluation of the Effects of Degradable Mulching Film on the Growth, Yield and Economic Benefit of Garlic. Agronomy. 2025; 15(1):93. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15010093

Chicago/Turabian Style

Song, Jiangping, Huixia Jia, Yang Wang, Xiaohui Zhang, Wenlong Yang, Tingting Zhang, Naijian Wang, Jianqiang Yang, and Haiping Wang. 2025. "Evaluation of the Effects of Degradable Mulching Film on the Growth, Yield and Economic Benefit of Garlic" Agronomy 15, no. 1: 93. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15010093

APA Style

Song, J., Jia, H., Wang, Y., Zhang, X., Yang, W., Zhang, T., Wang, N., Yang, J., & Wang, H. (2025). Evaluation of the Effects of Degradable Mulching Film on the Growth, Yield and Economic Benefit of Garlic. Agronomy, 15(1), 93. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15010093

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