Eco-friendly mulching with Camellia oleifera Abel. shell waste: Weed suppression and soil nutrient improvement
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Updated: Nov 2, 2026

Isolation of Native Soil Microorganisms with Potential for Breaking Down Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films Used in Agriculture
Published on: May 10, 2013
Jiawei Huang1, Ningxin Zhang1, Jiangtao Xu1
1College of Future Biomass, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, PR China.
Abstract:
This study offers a simple, feasible approach for utilizing Camellia oleifera Abel. shell (COS) waste as mulch for weed control in plantations. The mechanism of weed management under COS mulching and its effects on plantation soil properties were comprehensively investigated via phytotoxicity bioassays, field experiments, soil characterization, and microbiome sequencing. Phytotoxicity bioassays showed that COS aqueous extract resulted in oxidative damage and inhibited physiological activities during seed germination. Field experiments revealed that with up to 77.72% weed reduction, higher dosages of crushed COS augmented the shading and the weed suppression rate. Soil-dissolved organic matter content, soil-available phosphorus, and soil-available potassium contents were increased by 127.87%, 112.06%, and 201.04%, respectively, after mulching. COS mulching significantly enriched lignocellulolytic bacterial taxa (Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, Actinobacteriota) and phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms. A comprehensive interactive model linking COS coverage, weed growth, soil nutrients, and soil microorganisms was constructed, revealing the synergistic interaction mechanisms among these components. This work provides scientific guidance for returning COS to plantation land as a mulch to achieve eco-friendly treatment and improve the ecological environment of the plantation.
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