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Agronomy
Volume 15
Issue 10
10.3390/agronomy15102336
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Effects of Biodegradable Mulch Films with Different Thicknesses on the Quality of Watermelon Under Protected Cultivation

by
Haikang Zhao
1,
Xidong Wang
3,
Penghui Jin
1,
Jihua Zhou
1,
Yan Wang
3,
Wentao Dong
2,
Huiqing Ren
2,
Bingru Li
2 and
Wenwen Gong
2,*
1
Beijing Agricultural Technology Extension Station, Beijing 100029, China
2
Beijing Daxing District Agricultural Environment and Facility Management Service Station, Beijing 102600, China
3
Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology, BAAFS (Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences), Beijing 100097, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Agronomy 2025, 15(10), 2336; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15102336
Submission received: 14 August 2025 / Revised: 23 September 2025 / Accepted: 3 October 2025 / Published: 4 October 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Innovation in Sustainable and Organic Vegetable Crops Production)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Biodegradable mulch films (BDMs) have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional polyethylene (PE) films in modern horticulture, yet the effect of film thickness on crop performance remains inadequately understood. In this study, a two-year field experiment (2023–2024) under protected cultivation was conducted to evaluate BDMs with thicknesses (0.006, 0.008, and 0.010 mm) for watermelon production in Beijing, China. The results showed that all BDMs enhanced soil temperature and moisture compared to bare soil (main effect of mulching, p < 0.05) and significantly influenced soil available nitrogen (p < 0.05), while other soil properties were less affected. Year effects were generally not significant, reflecting the stable microclimatic conditions under hoop-house cultivation. Mechanical property assessments indicated substantial declines in tensile load, tensile strength, and elongation at break after field use, especially for thinner films. Notably, Bio-0.006 and Bio-0.008 significantly improved fruit weight and soluble sugar content relative to PE (p < 0.05), leading to higher yields and better commercial quality. These results suggested that appropriately thin BDMs can satisfy agronomic requirements for watermelon under protected cultivation while minimizing plastic residues, offering a practical basis for optimizing biodegradable film thickness to balance mulching performance, productivity, and environmental sustainability.
Keywords: biodegradable mulching films; mulching thickness; mechanical property; fruit growth; sustainable agriculture biodegradable mulching films; mulching thickness; mechanical property; fruit growth; sustainable agriculture

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Zhao, H.; Wang, X.; Jin, P.; Zhou, J.; Wang, Y.; Dong, W.; Ren, H.; Li, B.; Gong, W. Effects of Biodegradable Mulch Films with Different Thicknesses on the Quality of Watermelon Under Protected Cultivation. Agronomy 2025, 15, 2336. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15102336

AMA Style

Zhao H, Wang X, Jin P, Zhou J, Wang Y, Dong W, Ren H, Li B, Gong W. Effects of Biodegradable Mulch Films with Different Thicknesses on the Quality of Watermelon Under Protected Cultivation. Agronomy. 2025; 15(10):2336. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15102336

Chicago/Turabian Style

Zhao, Haikang, Xidong Wang, Penghui Jin, Jihua Zhou, Yan Wang, Wentao Dong, Huiqing Ren, Bingru Li, and Wenwen Gong. 2025. "Effects of Biodegradable Mulch Films with Different Thicknesses on the Quality of Watermelon Under Protected Cultivation" Agronomy 15, no. 10: 2336. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15102336

APA Style

Zhao, H., Wang, X., Jin, P., Zhou, J., Wang, Y., Dong, W., Ren, H., Li, B., & Gong, W. (2025). Effects of Biodegradable Mulch Films with Different Thicknesses on the Quality of Watermelon Under Protected Cultivation. Agronomy, 15(10), 2336. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15102336

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