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Acta Agronomica Sinica ›› 2025, Vol. 51 ›› Issue (6): 1599-1617.doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1006.2025.43053

• TILLAGE & CULTIVATION · PHYSIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effects of a 3–4°C increase in air temperature under natural conditions on root-shoot senescence and yield in plastic-film mulched maize

ZHANG Shi-Bo1,*,LI Hong-Yan1,LI Pei-Fu1,REN Rui-Hua2,LU Hai-Dong3,*   

  1. 1 School of Agriculture, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, Ningxia, China; 2 College of Enology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China; 3 College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
  • Received:2024-11-22 Revised:2025-03-26 Accepted:2025-03-26 Online:2025-06-12 Published:2025-04-03
  • Supported by:
    This study was supported by the Innovative Team for Germplasm Creation and Growth Regulation of Grain Crops in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (2022BSB03109) and the Key Research and Development Project of Shaanxi Province (2022-NY-197).

Abstract:

With the ongoing rise in global temperatures and the increasing frequency of flash droughts, premature senescence in plastic film-mulched spring maize has become more severe, significantly limiting maize yield formation. Current research on this issue primarily focuses on the relationship between moisture stress and leaf characteristics, while the mechanisms underlying film-induced warming and its effects on root-shoot senescence in spring maize remain unclear. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a two-year field experiment (2021–2022) in Changwu (average annual temperature > 9°C) and Yangling (average annual temperature > 12°C), two semi-humid, drought-prone regions in northwestern China. The experiment included a bare land control (CK) and two mulching treatments: transparent film mulching (TM) and dual mulching with transparent film and black polyethylene net (TM+BN), designed to maintain the film’s water retention effect while modifying soil temperature. Using ‘Zhengdan 958’ as the test variety, we investigated the effects of these mulching strategies on soil conditions, root growth and senescence, leaf stay-green characteristics, and yield performance in dryland maize farming. The results showed that, compared to CK, both mulching treatments increased soil water storage at both locations, with no significant differences in average soil water storage between TM and TM+BN. Meanwhile, the average topsoil temperature of spring maize in Yangling from the three-leaf stage to maturity (V3–R6) was 2.1–2.3°C higher than in Changwu. Across both locations, the average topsoil temperature under TM was 2.0–2.2°C higher than under TM+BN, indicating that TM+BN had a moderate soil cooling effect. Compared to TM, the soil cooling effect of TM+BN extended the reproductive growth period of spring maize by 10–12 days, improved nutrient supply during the late growth stages, and enhanced root antioxidant capacity and leaf greenness. As a result, root dry weight at 0–40 cm depth increased by 8.6%, aboveground dry matter accumulation at maturity increased by 14.4%, and grain yield improved by 18.5%–24.5% compared to TM. These findings suggest that, under projected global warming of 3–4°C, maintaining an average topsoil temperature between 26.3°C and 29.0°C during the V3–R6 period in heat-rich dryland agricultural regions may delay premature senescence in film-mulched maize and enhance grain yield. This study provides a scientific basis for high-yield, efficient cultivation and sustainable production of film-mulched maize in a warming climate. 

Key words: dryland, warming of plastic film, phenology, maize root-shoot senescence, grain yield

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