While plastic film mulching and proper high-density planting are important methods that can improve maize yield, years of accumulated residual film have created soil pollution and degraded soil, and thus has impeded sustainable agriculture development. Here, we compared the stalk and root lodging resistances of three maize cultivars grown at two planting densities both with (FM) and without (NM) plastic film mulch. Our aim was to provide a theoretical basis that may help assure a future of successful no-film planting with increased planting density. The results showed that, compared with FM, the average dry weight per unit length and bending strength of basal internode decreased for all cultivars at both planting densities in the NM treatment. At 9.0 × 104 plants ha-1, the stalk breaking force (SFC) of Xinyu77, KWS9384, and KWS2030 in the NM treatment decreased by 4%, 21%, and 22%, respectively. At 12.0 × 104 plants ha-1, SFC of Xinyu77 and KWS2030 increased by 14% and 1%, respectively, while KWS9384 decreased by 10%. Additionally, the root diameter, length, volume, width, depth, and the vertical root-pulling force of maize decreased. Although the lodging resistance of maize grown without film mulch was lower than that of maize grown with it, those adverse effects can be mitigated by selecting suitable cultivars and by using proper high-density planting and appropriate cultivation measures.
Keywords: maize lodging; no-film planting; plastic film mulch; stalk strength; vertical root-pulling force.