Crop Yields, Internal Nutrient Efficiency, and Changes in Soil Properties in Rice–Wheat Rotations Under Non-Flooded Mulching Cultivation

A field experiment was conducted for 5 years to examine the effects of non-flooded mulching cultivation on crop yield, internal nutrient efficiency and soil properties in rice–wheat (R–W) rotations of the Chengdu Plain, southwest China. Compared with traditional flooding (TF), non-flooded plastic film mulching (PM) resulted in 12 and 11% higher average rice (Oryza sativa L.) yield and system productivity (combined rice and wheat yields), and the trends in rice and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yields under PM were stable over time. However, non-flooded wheat straw mulching (SM) decreased average rice yield by 11% compared with TF, although no significant difference in system productivity was found between SM and TF. Uptakes of N and K by rice under PM were higher than those under TF and SM, but internal nutrient efficiency was significantly lower (N) or similar (K) under PM compared to SM and TF. This implies that more N and K accumulated in rice straw under PM. After 5-year rice–wheat rotation, apparent P balances (112–160 kg ha−1) were positive under all three cultivation systems. However, the K balances were negative under PM (−419 kg ha−1) and TF (−90 kg ha−1) compared with SM (45 kg ha−1). This suggests that higher K inputs from fertilizer, straw or manure may be necessary, especially under PM. After five rice seasons and four wheat seasons, non-flooded mulching cultivation led to similar (PM) or higher (SM) soil organic carbon (SOC), total N (TN) and alkali hydrolyzable N (AH-N) in the top 0–5 and 5–12 cm layers compared with TF. SOC, TN, AH-N and Olsen-P (OP) in the sub-surface layer (12–24 cm) were significantly higher under PM or SM than under TF, indicating that rice under non-flooded mulching conditions may fail to make use of nutrients from the subsoil. Thus, the risk of decline in soil fertility under non-flooded mulching cultivation could be very low if input levels match crop requirements. Our data indicate that PM and SM may be alternative options for farmers using R–W rotations for enhancement or maintenance of system productivity and soil fertility.