Improved soil physico-chemical characteristics, soil moisture and plant growth properties through vertical mulching in a plum orchard

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis study investigated effects of vertical mulching with organic manures (applied into vertical holes in the soil) in combination with grass mulching of the soil surface, on plant growth, leaf and soil properties in plums (Prunus salicina Lindl. cv. Red Beaut) grown in Himachal Pradesh, India. Five manures were used for vertical mulching (farmyard manure, vermicompost, mushroom compost, ghanjeevamrit and jeevamrit) in combination with two levels of grass mulching (with and without). Vertical mulching treatments with ghanjeevamrit and vermicompost resulted in significant improvements of plant growth, leaf chlorophyll and photosynthetic rate. Leaf and soil nutrient concentrations were also highest in treatments with vermicompost and ghanjeevamrit, with the highest soil nutrient concentrations recorded when these manures were applied with grass mulching. For most plant growth parameters, trees grown with grass mulching performed better than those grown without. Soil physical properties were significantly enhanced by vertical mulching with vermicompost and ghanjeevamrit. Soil moisture at 15 and 30 cm depth was not affected by the vertical mulching with manures, but at 45 and 60 cm depth the manures had significant effects. Grass mulching was also found to be important for regulating soil moisture. The results showed the potential benefits of vertical mulching with manures in combination with grass mulching, with positive effects on both plant growth and soil fertility. The importance of grass mulching was highlighted in terms of its potential for preserving soil moisture and the use of ghanjeevamrit and vermicompost for their potential as nutrient sources and to improve soil fertility.