Process of Mulching and Advantages of Mulching in Agriculture
Mulching
is a method of covering the soil with a thin layer of biomass. For
mulching, leaves, bark, nut shells, weeds, grasses, wood chips, silage, paper,
pine and conifer needles, paddy or wheat straw, rice husk, coir dust, saw dust,
banana and sugarcane leaf trashes etc which are available in the region can
be used.
mulching, leaves, bark, nut shells, weeds, grasses, wood chips, silage, paper,
pine and conifer needles, paddy or wheat straw, rice husk, coir dust, saw dust,
banana and sugarcane leaf trashes etc which are available in the region can
be used.
The
benefits of mulching are to prevent the loss of water by evaporation and
transpiration, keep down weeds due to soil solarisation, dampen temperature
fluctuations, increase soil moisture storage and facilitate uniform distribution of
moisture in the soil horizon. It reduces the runoff and soil losses, prevents
crusting and soil compaction, and reduces blowing and beating action of water
and wind. Mulches modify the micro-climate, alter the environment of soil
microbes, enhance soil flora and fauna activity, modify soil moisture regimes
and properties associated with it and soil temperature in the root zone,
12 improve rooting environment and soil productivity. Water use efficiency can be
doubled with mulching, frequency and intensity of irrigation can be reduced
drastically.
fluctuations, increase soil moisture storage and facilitate uniform distribution of
moisture in the soil horizon. It reduces the runoff and soil losses, prevents
crusting and soil compaction, and reduces blowing and beating action of water
and wind. Mulches modify the micro-climate, alter the environment of soil
microbes, enhance soil flora and fauna activity, modify soil moisture regimes
and properties associated with it and soil temperature in the root zone,
12 improve rooting environment and soil productivity. Water use efficiency can be
doubled with mulching, frequency and intensity of irrigation can be reduced
drastically.
For mulching one hectare area of any agricultural crop about 4-5 tons of the
biomass is required. In most of the agricultural crops, mulches should be
applied uniformly after the first weeding which generally occurs after 2-3
weeks of sowing/transplanting.
biomass is required. In most of the agricultural crops, mulches should be
applied uniformly after the first weeding which generally occurs after 2-3
weeks of sowing/transplanting.
Mulching is also very useful in horticultural crops as it reduces the water
requirement by reducing the evapo-transpiration. In most of the perennial
crops like apple, pears, plums, mandarins, walnuts and fruit crops fallen
leaves of the same plant can be used as mulch.
- Acts as storehouse of nutrients.
- Improves soil structure.
- Enhances the soil exchange capacity.
- Increases the infiltration of water and prevents hard pan formation.
- Acts as a buffer during rapid changes in soil alkalinity, acidity and salinity.
And also check out our other
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