Plastic film mulch (PM), a major rainwater harvesting measure, is now widely used to cope with drought in context of global climate change. However, the effects of PM on root traits are not clearly understood. Here, we summarized data from 36 independent field studies to examine the effect of PM to 9 root traits, and the relationships between root traits and yields. Averaged across all observation, PM had significant positive effects on root weight density (RWD), root length density (RLD), and root diameter (RD). The performance of root under PM in arid and semi-arid regions was much better than in semi-humid. PM had the greatest promoting effect on the root traits of gramineous crops represented by maize; PM could promote root growth and increase yield in clay soil better than in other soil textures. Changes in root distribution in the upper soil layer (0−40 cm) had a more important impact on the yield than that in the deep soil layer (below 40 cm); root traits that contribute most to yields in vegetative and reproductive growth stages were RWD and RD, respectively. The utilization of PM has important implications for future development of agriculture to benefit root growth and improve yield.

塑料膜覆盖（PM）是一种主要的雨水收集措施，目前已广泛用于应对全球气候变化的干旱。但是，目前尚不清楚PM对根系性状的影响。在这里，我们总结了来自36个独立田间研究的数据，以研究PM对9个根系性状的影响以及根系性状与产量之间的关系。在所有观察结果中平均，PM对根重密度（RWD），根长密度（RLD）和根径（RD）均具有显着的积极影响。在干旱和半干旱地区，PM胁迫下的根系性能要好于半湿润地区。PM对以玉米为代表的禾本科作物的根系性状具有最大的促进作用。与其他质地的土壤相比，PM能够更好地促进根系生长并增加粘土产量。上部土壤层（0-40 cm）中根系分布的变化对产量的影响比深土层（40 cm以下）中根部的变化更重要；营养生长和生殖生长阶段对产量影响最大的根系分别是RWD和RD。PM的利用对未来农业发展具有重要意义，有利于根系生长和提高产量。