Legume Genomics and Genetics 2025, Vol.16, No.6, 288-296 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/lgg 288 Feature Review Open Access Study on the Effect of Film Mulching on Broad Bean Germination and Moisture Conservation Weiguo Lu, Lijun Qiu Modern Agricultural Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: lijun.qiu@cuixi.org Legume Genomics and Genetics, 2025 Vol.16, No.6 doi: 10.5376/lgg.2025.16.0029 Received: 11 Oct., 2025 Accepted: 26 Nov., 2025 Published: 16 Dec., 2025 Copyright © 2025 Lu and Qiu, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Lu W.L., and Qiu L.J., 2025, Study on the effect of film mulching on broad bean germination and moisture conservation, Legume Genomics and Genetics, 16(6): 288-296 (doi: 10.5376/lgg.2025.16.0029) Abstract Broad bean (Vicia faba L.) is a vital leguminous crop widely cultivated for its nutritional and agronomic value; however, its successful germination and moisture retention remain challenging under conventional cultivation practices. In this study, we investigated the effects of film mulching on broad bean germination, soil moisture conservation, and subsequent plant growth by modifying the microclimate and reducing water evaporation. The research explored the mechanisms through which film mulching enhances soil temperature stability, moisture retention in the root zone, and seedling emergence while also reducing irrigation frequency and weed competition. A field experiment comparing mulched and non-mulched plots over two seasons demonstrated higher germination rates, better moisture metrics, and increased yield in the mulched plots. Additionally, we assessed the impact of different mulch materials on plant performance and analyzed environmental and economic implications, including residue management and sustainability of biodegradable films. These findings suggest that film mulching significantly improves the germination and moisture status of broad bean crops, offering practical insights for sustainable legume production in moisture-limited regions and promoting its broader application in climate-smart agriculture. Keywords Broad bean; Film mulching; Germination rate; Soil moisture conservation; Sustainable agriculture 1 Introduction To be honest: in the arid areas south of the Sahara, people often have no choice, and only crops that can survive are good crops. Vicia faba happens to belong to this category. Not only because it is high in protein - many farmers are looking for the ability to "improve the soil by themselves": Vicia faba rhizobia can fix nitrogen, allowing the fields to "fertilize" themselves. Therefore, it is natural that many developing countries use it as a staple food (Zhao et al., 2022). But then again, growing broad beans is not so worry-free. If the soil leaks seriously, the seeds will not germinate, and the yield will immediately drop; once the rain comes at an untimely time, it may even wash away the little water, making it even more difficult to see the harvest in the field (Han et al., 2024). The situation will be even worse if there are years of drought or soil degradation. At this time, people really realize that "a drop of water is worth a few cents of grain" is not an exaggeration (Valens et al., 2021). So, mulching was brought to the field. Some people first use plastic film to test the water, while others use biodegradable film or hay to cover the ground. The purpose is the same - to prevent water from escaping and keep the seeds warm (Zhang et al., 2024). Many experimental results are quite encouraging: the soil is more moist, the root system is more developed, the broad beans grow stronger, and other legumes also benefit (Jasim & Al-Amiri et al., 2020). This study does not intend to repeat the old conclusions of "whether the film is good or not", but to sort out the existing data to see how much the ground film can help broad beans in germination and water retention, and whether these practices can really make sustainable planting a reality. 2 Mechanisms of Film Mulching 2.1 Microclimate modification: effects on temperature, humidity, and radiation Remember stepping into the film-covered fields in the early morning? The soles of your feet were noticeably
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