Effect of different film color mulching on dry matter and grain yield of oil flax in dry-land

Mulching can effectively maintain soil moisture; color of mulching film affects soil water storage capacity and further promote crop growth to improve grain yield. Field experiment was conducted to study effects of different film colors on dry matter accumulation (DMA) and grain yield of oil flax. Results showed that white plastic film mulching could increase leaf area, chlorophyll content and DMA. DMA of white film mulching and micro-ridge with soil covering was 53.0% higher than that of CK, and 7.8% higher than that of black film mulching. Mulching method also influenced DMA. Micro-ridge alone increased it by 13.7% than flat cultivation and soil covering improved another 7.6% under white film mulching. Both white and black film mulching with micro-ridge could significantly improve grain yield. Black film mulching with micro-ridge and soil covering, white film mulching with micro-ridge and no soil covering significantly increased capsule number per plant, 1,000-grain weight and grain yield of oil flax, compared with CK. Grain yield increased 29.0% and 28.9% respectively. These results indicated that the above mulching methods were suitable for high yield cropping pattern in dry-farming regions.