Effects of the biodegradable film-based tray-free seedling system on seedling quality and ecological adaptability in cold-region rice
4 affiliations
- 1Institute of Biotechnology, Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
- 2Wuchang Experimental Station, Northeast Center, National Technology Innovation Center for Saline-Alkali Tolerant Rice, Harbin, China
- 3Institute of Industrial Crops, Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
- 4Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha, China
Abstract
To reduce labor costs, mitigate plastic pollution, and enhance disease control in cold-region rice seedling nurseries, this study developed a biodegradable film-based seedling system.From 2022 to 2024, large-scale comparative field experiments were conducted over three consecutive years in seven major rice-producing cities and counties in Heilongjiang Province, including Tailai, Tonghe, and Fangzheng, to systematically analyze the effect of this technique on seedling morphology, biomass, vigor, and other key indicators, as well as its ecological and inter-annual adaptability. The results showed that, compared with traditional mechanical transplanting tray seedling raising (CK), the biodegradable film-based treatment (T1) increased seedling height, root length, stem base width,dry weight per hundred seedlings, and the classic strong seedling index (SRI) by an average of 6.82%, 8.97%, 9.52%, 10.26%, and 12.41%, respectively, while maintaining a stable root-shoot ratio and water metabolism.No bacterial wilt or seedling blight was observed throughout the experimental period, and no white plastic residue was detected.The total costof seedling raising was reduced by 15%–20%. Regionally, the technique performed best in high-biomass zones (e.g., Tonghe, Mishan) and balanced robust seedling zones (e.g., Suibin, Qing’an), while also showing positive effects in stress-prone regions. This technique demonstrates potential for improving seedling quality while reducing costs and plastic residue.Across 21 site-year combinations spanning seven major rice-producing regions, the system demonstrated consistent positive effects (T1/CK ratios >1.02) with the highest advantages observed in high-biomass regions (Tonghe and Mishan), confirming broad ecological adaptability.
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BibTeX
@article{sun2026effects,
title = {{Effects of the biodegradable film-based tray-free seedling system on seedling quality and ecological adaptability in cold-region rice}},
author = {Zhong Yi Sun and Qing Hua Kang and Hong Da Wu and Shi Wei Zhou and Dan Dan Yao and Xi Xia Song and Chun Xu Leng and Ping Yan and Hong Tao Wu and Hai Ying Liu and Hong Ru Gao and Bei Ping Zhao and Yu Fu Wang and Zhen Hua Xu},
journal = {PLOS One},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0361056},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0361056},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Effects of the biodegradable film-based tray-free seedling system on seedling quality and ecological adaptability in cold-region rice
AU - Zhong Yi Sun
AU - Qing Hua Kang
AU - Hong Da Wu
AU - Shi Wei Zhou
AU - Dan Dan Yao
AU - Xi Xia Song
AU - Chun Xu Leng
AU - Ping Yan
AU - Hong Tao Wu
AU - Hai Ying Liu
AU - Hong Ru Gao
AU - Bei Ping Zhao
AU - Yu Fu Wang
AU - Zhen Hua Xu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/27
JO - PLOS One
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0361056
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0361056
AB - To reduce labor costs, mitigate plastic pollution, and enhance disease control in cold-region rice seedling nurseries, this study developed a biodegradable film-based seedling system.From 2022 to 2024, large-scale comparative field experiments were conducted over three consecutive years in seven major rice-producing cities and counties in Heilongjiang Province, including Tailai, Tonghe, and Fangzheng, to systematically analyze the effect of this technique on seedling morphology, biomass, vigor, and other key indicators, as well as its ecological and inter-annual adaptability. The results showed that, compared with traditional mechanical transplanting tray seedling raising (CK), the biodegradable film-based treatment (T1) increased seedling height, root length, stem base width,dry weight per hundred seedlings, and the classic strong seedling index (SRI) by an average of 6.82%, 8.97%, 9.52%, 10.26%, and 12.41%, respectively, while maintaining a stable root-shoot ratio and water metabolism.No bacterial wilt or seedling blight was observed throughout the experimental period, and no white plastic residue was detected.The total costof seedling raising was reduced by 15%–20%. Regionally, the technique performed best in high-biomass zones (e.g., Tonghe, Mishan) and balanced robust seedling zones (e.g., Suibin, Qing’an), while also showing positive effects in stress-prone regions. This technique demonstrates potential for improving seedling quality while reducing costs and plastic residue.Across 21 site-year combinations spanning seven major rice-producing regions, the system demonstrated consistent positive effects (T1/CK ratios >1.02) with the highest advantages observed in high-biomass regions (Tonghe and Mishan), confirming broad ecological adaptability.
SN - 1932-6203
ER -