LAUSR

Abstract Plastic film mulching can deplete soil organic carbon (SOC) stock but increase GHG emissions. But, few research works have focused on combined effect of cultivation techniques and nitrogen applications on the greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI), net ecosystem carbon budget (NECB) and corn production. Therefore, a two years field study was conducted in 2017–2018, using the following six treatments: RP0: plastic film mulching on ridges with 0 kg N ha−1; RP120: plastic film mulching on ridges with 120 kg N ha−1; RP240: plastic film mulching on ridges with 240 kg N ha−1; CT0: conventional flat planting with 0 kg N ha−1; CT120: conventional flat planting with 120 kg N ha−1; CT240: conventional flat planting with 240 kg N ha−1. Finding of our results showed that plastic film mulching considerable reduced (41.3%) GHGI and improved the maize production. The RP240 treatment improved the soil water storage, thus significantly increased carbon breathing loss, NECB, GWP, N2O, and CH4 emissions. In the RP240 treatment increased (21.9%) the net GWP over CT0 treatment, but decreased GHGI, due to increased (40.8%) biomass production. However, under the RP240 treatment the higher WUE (69.5%), biomass and grain yields obtained which may balance the negative ecological impacts associated with climate change. Therefore, the RP240 treatment may be an efficient water-saving agricultural strategy to improve WUE, maize production and reduce the impact of global warming.