Mulch Application Research Articles

Straw mulching decreased the contribution of Fe-bound organic carbon to soil organic carbon in a banana orchard

The association between iron (Fe) oxides (Fe-O) and organic carbon is a vital mechanism for the long-term accumulation and stabilization of soil organic carbon (SOC). To thoroughly explore the impacts of straw mulching on Fe-bound organic carbon (Fe-OC), we conducted a mulching application experiment in a 2-year no-tillage banana orchard. Two treatments (a 2-year straw mulching treatment and no straw return treatment) were established using a randomized complete block design. The Fe-OC and SOC pools in the surface soil were determined, and the results showed that straw mulching significantly increased the SOC contents by 34.02 %, and soil Fe-OC accounted for approximately 12.24 %–25.34 % of the SOC. Compared with the control treatment, straw mulching significantly decreased the Fe-OC contents and their contribution to SOC, which may have been due to soil dithionite-extractable Fe oxide (Fed) contents, the abundance of the Acidibacter, and α-glucosidase activities. Synchrotron radiation-based Fourier transform infrared (SR-FTIR) microspectroscopy indicated that straw mulching increased the colocalization between cellulose/hemicelluloses and peptides, and the relationships among lignin, Fe-O, and peptides became stronger than those in the CK treatment. These findings imply that straw mulching may decrease Fe-OC pools through various physicochemical and microbial mechanisms, these soil Fe-OC contents may be preserved as lignin derivatives and microbial-derived organic compounds.

Effect of Date of Sowing and Leaf Mulching on Growth Attributes of Mung Bean under Custard Apple (Annona squamosa L.) Based Agri-Horti System

A field study was carried out to evaluate the effects of date of sowing (24 July, 4 August, 14 August and 24 August) and leaf mulching (0 ton ha-1 and 5 ton ha-1) on growth of mungbean in Factorial Randomized Block Design replicated thrice. The growth attributed as plant height, number of trifoliate leaf/plant number of nodule/plant dry matter accumulation /plant were found significantly higher on 4 August sowing as comparison to other dates of sowing. All the growth attributes found significantly higher with the application of mulch 5 t/ha over o t/ha. The interaction of sowing on 4 August and application of 5 t/ha mulch were found more over other treatments in dry matter /plant and no. of nodule /plant. In nutshell, sowing on 4 August along with the application of 5 ton mulch/ha in mungbean was found good under custard apple based agri-horti system in Vindhyan region.

Pengaruh Pengolahan Tanah dan Pemberian Mulsa Jerami Terhadap Pertumbuhan dan Hasil Kedelai

The purpose of this study was to determine the influences of soil processing and giving straw mulch then interaction between these two factors on the growth and yield of soybeans. The first factor were soil processing which consisted of three treatment levels : without tillage, one time tillage, and twice tillage, The second factor were giving straw mulchwhich consisted of three treatment levels: without giving mulch, giving mulch 4 tons per hectare and giving mulch 8 tons per hectare. The number of replicates was three times, there were 9 treatment combinations and 27 experimental units. This study used a factorial Randomized Block Design (RBD). This research had observed there were height plant, fresh and dry weight Stover, number of pods per stalk, dry weight seeds per plot and dry weight 100 soybean seeds. The results showed that Soil Processing and giving straw mulch had a significant effect on soybean growth and yield. The best growth and yields were obtained by twice tillage it was 212.52 g/plot, while due to the application of mulch, the best growth and yields were 8 tones/ha it was 222.12 g/plot. There was no significant interaction between soil processing and giving straw mulch on all observed to the growth and yield of soybeans.

Use of hardwood mulch applications to improve soil characteristics of Alfisols used in Florida citrus production

IntroductionImproving soil fertility is a top priority in Florida’s citrus growing regions, especially in the age of Huanglongbing (HLB; also known as citrus greening). This disease severely reduces fine root mass, causes higher incidences of nutrient deficiencies, and eventually results in the death of affected trees. Additionally, the soils commonly found in Florida’s citrus growing regions are sandy (greater than 98%) and naturally low in fertility, making the nutrient management of HLB-affected trees even more challenging. As a result, interest in organic amendments to increase soil fertility are being tested. Although hardwood chip mulches are successfully used in other regions of the country, no studies exist observing their use on the soils in Florida’s citrus growing regions; therefore, the objectives of this study were to measure the impacts of hardwood oak mulch on (i) Florida Alfisols characteristics and (ii) HLB-affected citrus trees.MethodsA two-treatment field study using 6-year-old ‘Valencia’ sweet orange trees (Citrus × sinensis) grafted on US-812 (C. reticulata × C. trifoliata) rootstock was conducted in Florida’s Indian River District (IRD). The experimental treatment consisted of 0.08 m of hardwood chip mulch sourced from oak trees applied every September for 3 years (2020, 2021, and 2022) while the control treatment had no mulch applied. Soil chemical and physical properties, leaf nutrient concentration, and leaf Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) titer was collected in the fall (October), winter (January), spring (April), and summer (July).Results and discussionOverall, after 3 years, oak mulch applications increased soil available phosphorus (32%), potassium (66%), magnesium (71%), organic matter (49%), and moisture (25-88%, depending on the season); however, oak mulch inconsistently impacted leaf nutrient concentrations and was not effective at suppressing HLB. The results show that annual applications of hardwood oak mulch can improve the chemical and physical properties of sandy soils within three years, however, these improvements did not reduce the severity of HLB.

The organic mulches in vineyards exerted an influence on spontaneous weed cover and plant biodiversity

The current trend toward sustainable agricultural practices creates a demand for alternatives to conventional soil management. One of the main problems for farmers is the competition for water and nutrients of weeds with the crop and the complicated management that this entails. Conventional practices such as tillage and the use of herbicides are commonly used and imply high environmental impacts while organic mulches could be an attractive sustainable alternative for soil management. Therefore, the 3-year effect of different soil management practices with organic mulches on the control of spontaneous weeds in the vine row has been studied. Three types of organic mulches [grapevine pruning debris (GPD), straw (SM) and spent mushroom compost (SMC)] and two conventional soil management methods [in-row tillage (TILL) and herbicide (HERB)] were compared on a vineyard in North Spain. For this purpose, the percentage of soil covered by weeds (PWC), the presence of each species and its effect on the vine development, and the weed community formations were analysed in each soil management. In addition, soil nutrition, soil temperature and soil water content were measured. On the one hand, SM and GPD mulches limited the presence of weeds (<30%), reducing the need for tillage maintenance and improving soil integrity. On the other hand, SMC produced excessive weed growth (>85%) that could be a problem for the farmer. Of the conventional practices, the TILL treatment was strongly affected by the timing of agricultural work and environmental conditions, with large variability between years. The results indicated that the application of organic mulches reduced the percentage of species with a harmful effect on optimal vine growth and increased plant diversity and its benefits for the ecosystem. Organic mulches are an effective alternative for soil management due to the improvement of the chemical and physical properties of the soil, the increase in the water content of the soil, the reduction of heat stress and the percentage of noxious species for optimum vine growth.

Significance of Mulching on Soil Conservation

The rapidly expanding global population, coupled with limited accessible freshwater resources and recurrent climatic fluctuations, have placed significant stress on humanity. This pressure has necessitated decisive actions to curb water wastage. Concurrently, water conservation initiatives have gained momentum, particularly within the world's largest water-intensive sector, agriculture. One notable advancement in enhancing water use efficiency in agronomy is the widespread adoption of drip irrigation. This method involves the precise delivery of water directly to the root zone of crops, minimizing water losses up to 70% attributed to evaporation and distribution inefficiencies. Furthermore, the synergistic application of mulching in conjunction with drip irrigation in arid crop cultivation has emerged as a robust strategy for alleviating water stress in agriculture. Mulch, comprising natural, synthetic, or blended materials, serves as a protective layer between the soil and the atmosphere. Its multifaceted benefits include efficient soil moisture retention, regulation of soil temperature, prevention of nutrient leaching, improved fertilizer utilization, erosion resistance, weed suppression, and aesthetic enhancement of landscapes. This review paper comprehensively explores various facets of mulching, underscoring its role as a dynamic tool for water and soil management in agriculture while preserving the intrinsic value of cultivated crops.

Selüloz ve PLA Biyopolimer Nonwoven Malçların Toprak Sağlığına Etkisi

The nonwoven mulches produced from regenerated viscose and PLA fibres as well as conventional agro foil were placed on the soil by randomly arranged blocks of four replication plots. After 50 days, the soil samples beneath each mulch and on the control field were collected, where the bacteria and fungi population as well as the physio-chemical properties of the soil were measured. The severe reduction in bacterial population in soil under the agro foil and mulches made of PLA fibres occurs due to the prevalence of high soil temperature. The bacterial population of soil beneath the mulches made of viscose fibre significantly increased due to favourable anaerobic conditions, respectively soil temperature and moisture. Under all mulches, compared to the control field, a higher fungal population was observed. The fungal population under the nonwoven mulch produced by viscose fibres was 161% higher in comparison to the control field. The available nutrient contents of soils under the nonwoven mulches were higher compared to the control field. The control field showed higher available nutrient contents of soil than the field covered by conventional agro foil.&#x0D; The results of the study reveal that usage of nonwoven mulches made of viscose fibres is most appropriate for short-term mulching application since successfully increases microbial population and improves the physio-chemical properties of soil.

Effects of post-fire application of straw mulch strips on soil erosion, soil moisture and vegetation regeneration in European dry heathlands in NW Spain

Applying mulch to severely burned soils is common practice in fire-prone areas such as the NW Spain. Mulch that provides >80% cover can reduce post-fire soil erosion by up to 90%; however, this level of cover can sometimes be difficult to achieve in remote areas due to the logistic constraints. Although application of mulch strips is a possible alternative approach, there is no information available about the effectiveness of this technique. Such information is critical in protected areas where mulch application can modify the recovery of natural vegetation by altering the soil moisture regime.In this study, the effects of the application of 20 m wide straw mulch strips on soil erosion, soil moisture and vegetation recovery were assessed during the first year after a high-severity fire that occurred in September 2020 in two European dry-heathland areas.During the first year after the fire, the mean sediment yields in the untreated plots were 18.5 Mg ha−1 and 33.8 Mg ha−1, respectively at the Lobios and Vilariño study sites. Although the straw mulch strips reduced soil erosion by >70% on average, erosion rates remained high at both sites. Soil moisture contents in mulch-treated areas were significantly higher than in untreated areas during spring and summer.Mulching affected vegetation recovery in different ways, i.e., it had neutral to positive effects, depending on the study site. No alteration in species composition was observed in either of the sites as a result of treatment application.In summary, the reduction in soil erosion after the application of straw mulch strips covering 67% of burned soil under the conditions of the present study under the conditions of the present study reduced a 70–75% of soil erosion after a high-severity wildfire.

Tree Mastication and Helimulching: Two Alternatives for Mitigating Soil Erosion and Carbon Loss After Wildfire

Abstract The use of masticated tree debris to protect burned soil from post-fire erosion is not common and very little is known about its effectiveness in reducing the risk of erosion after fire. The main objective of this research was to assess the effects of agricultural straw helimulching and tree mastication on soil and carbon losses and recovery of vegetation during 2 years after fire in two wildfire-affected areas in northwestern Spain. Eighteen plots were established in each experimental site for monitoring the following treatments: helimulching, mastication, and control (untreated burned soils). Salvage logging was carried out in the first spring after fire in one of the experimental areas, thus enabling study of whether the application of mulch after fire also protects the soil during logging. Mean soil cover in helimulched areas was more than 90% in both experimental sites, whereas masticated slash from juvenile pine trees covered around 60% of the burned soil. In both study sites, soil and carbon losses were significantly higher in the untreated soils than in the helimulched and masticated soils. Mulching was effective in reducing soil and carbon losses even after salvage logging. Study Implications: The use of mulches to protect burned soil from post-fire erosion is becoming common in fire-prone areas. Agricultural straw is the most common material, whereas other alternatives such as the use of masticated tree debris to reduce soil erosion risk after fire is not as common. The results obtained in this study show that mastication of noncommercial trees is a feasible technique to reduce post-fire soil erosion, although cover of more than 60% must be achieved to reduce soil erosion and carbon loss to sustainable values. Application of straw mulch is effective to protect burned soil during salvage logging.

Straw Mulch Application Enhanced Soil Properties and Reduced Diffuse Pollution at a Steep Vineyard in Istria (Croatia)

Straw mulching is a sustainable practice used to control soil erosion. However, different doses of mulch affect the efficiency of straw conservation. This study presents detailed research on how soil physicochemical properties and the hydrological response react to different types of vineyard soil management (Tilled, Grass, Low Straw, High Straw) and seasons (spring, summer, autumn) under conventional management on Anthrosols in Mediterranean conditions. To assess soil properties, core samples and disturbed samples were taken from the topsoil layer (0–10 cm). To evaluate erosion rates, a rainfall simulation experiment was conducted (58 mm h−1 for 30 min) with 10 replicates per treatment and season (120 in total). The results show higher water-stable aggregates (WSA) and soil organic matter (SOM) and lower bulk density (BD) in the mulch and grass treatment groups compared with the Tilled treatment group. High Straw treatment successfully mitigated runoff, while other treatments had significantly higher runoff that triggered sediment loss (SL) and translocation of P, K, Zn and Ni down the slope. There were 254% and 520% higher K losses with Tilled treatment in autumn compared with Low Straw and Grass treatments, respectively. Statistical analysis showed a strong association between element loss and SL, which indicates an ecological threat in degraded and endangered vineyards. Mulch application and grass cover reduce the vulnerability of vineyards, reduce evaporation, act as insulation against high temperatures, reduce erosion and suppress weed growth. The mulch dosage varies depending on the goals and conditions of the vineyard; thus, lower mulch dosage (2 t/ha) is appropriate when soil conditions are favourable and there is no significant need for moisture retention, while higher mulch dosage is necessary in dry regions to maintain soil moisture during high-temperature periods, as well as in sloped areas subjected to erosion.

Managing Weed-Crop Interactions Enhances Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Chemical Components.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a major pulse crop worldwide, renowned for its nutritional richness and adaptability. Weeds are the main biotic factor deteriorating chickpea yield and nutritional quality, especially Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav. The present study concerns a two-year (2018-19 and 2019-20) field trial aiming at evaluating the effect of weed management on chickpea grain quality. Several weed management practices have been here implemented under a factorial randomized complete block design, including the application of four herbicides [bromoxynil (C7H3Br2NO) + MCPA (Methyl-chlorophenoxyacetic acid) (C9H9ClO3), fluroxypyr + MCPA, fenoxaprop-p-ethyl (C18H16ClNO5), pendimethalin (C13H19N3O4)], the extracts from two allelopathic weeds (Sorghum halepense and Cyperus rotundus), two mulches (wheat straw and eucalyptus leaves), a combination of A. tenuifolius extract and pendimethalin, and an untreated check (control). Chickpea grain quality was measured in terms of nitrogen, crude protein, crude fat, ash, and oil content. The herbicides pendimethalin (Stomp 330 EC (emulsifiable concentrate) in pre-emergence at a rate of 2.5 L ha-1) and fenoxaprop-p-ethyl (Puma Super 7.5 EW (emulsion in water) in post-emergence at a rate of 1.0 L ha-1), thanks to A. tenuifolius control, showed outstanding performance, providing the highest dietary quality of chickpea grain. The herbicides Stomp 330 EC, Buctril Super 40 EC, Starane-M 50 EC, and Puma Super 7.5 EW provided the highest levels of nitrogen. Outstanding increases in crude protein content were observed with all management strategies, particularly with Stomp 330 EC and Puma Super 7.5 EW (+18% on average). Ash content was highly elevated by Stomp 330 EC and Puma Super 7.5 EW, along with wheat straw mulching, reaching levels of 2.96% and 2.94%. Crude fat content experienced consistent elevations across all treatments, with the highest improvements achieved by Stomp 330 EC, Puma Super 7.5 EW, and wheat straw mulching applications. While 2018-19 displayed no significant oil content variations, 2019-20 revealed the highest oil content (5.97% and 5.96%) with herbicides Stomp 330 EC and Puma Super 7.5 EW, respectively, followed by eucalyptus leaves mulching (5.82%). The results here obtained are of key importance in the agricultural and food sector for the sustainable enhancement of chickpea grain's nutritional quality without impacting the environment.

Effects of Straw Mulching on Soil Properties and Enzyme Activities of Camellia oleifera-Cassia Intercropping Agroforestry Systems.

In order to explore the influences of rice straw mulching on soil fertility in agroforestry systems, the soil C and N contents and enzyme activities were investigated in a C. oleifera-cassia intercropping ecosystem in Central Southern China. Three straw mulching application treatments were set up in this study, in 2021, namely, straw powder mulching (SPM), straw segment mulching (SSM), and non-straw mulching as the control (CK). Soil samples were collected from three soil depths (0-10 cm,10-20 cm, and 20-40 cm) in each treatment on the 90th-day after the treatments. The soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), microbial carbon (MBC), soil enzyme activities (including acid phosphatase (ACP), urease (UE), cellulase (CL), and peroxidase (POD)), and soil water content (SWC) were determined. The results showed that the SOC significantly increased due to the mulching application in SPM and SSM, in the topsoil of 0-10 cm when compared to the CK. The SWC, SOC, TN, and MBC increased by 0.8 and 56.5, 3.5 and 37.5, 21.3 and 61.6, and 5.8% and 76.8% in the SPM and SSM treatments compared to the CK, respectively. The soil enzyme activities of ACP, UE, CE, and POD increased significantly due to straw mulching compared with CK throughout all soil layers. The soil enzyme activities of CL and POD were significantly higher in SSM than in SPM across the soil depth except for ACP. The enzyme activities of ACP were 14,190, 12,732, and 6490 U/g in SSM, SPM, and control, respectively. This indicated that mulching application enhanced the enzyme activity of ACP. Mulching had no significant effects on UE and CL, while the POD decreased significantly in the order of SPM > SSM > CK across all soil layers, being, on average, 6.64% and 3.14% higher in SSM and SPM, respectively, compared to the CK plots. The SOC and MBC were the key nutrient factors affecting the soil enzyme activities at the study site. The results from this study provided Important scientific insights for improving soil physicochemical properties during the management of the C. oleifera intercropping system and for the development of the C. oleifera industry.

Water productivity of summer mungbean (Vigna radiata) in relation to irrigation, tillage and mulch in sandy loam and loamy sand soils

There is a growing interest among the farmers of the state to take an additional crop, i.e. summer mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) in the window period of rice (Oryza sativa L.)-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) system with a little emphasis on the water productivity of summer mungbean. The present study was aimed to assess the water productivity of summer mungbean under differential irrigation regimes, tillage and mulch in sandy loam and loamy sand soils. A field experiment was conducted during the summer 2021 and 2022 with three irrigation regimes (based on irrigation water to PAN-E ratio of 0.75 (I0.75), 0.50 (I0.50), 0.25 (I0.25) in sandy loam and 0.8 (I0.8), 0.6 (I0.6) and 0.4 (I0.4) in loamy sand soils, two tillage systems, viz. deep tillage and conventional tillage; and two mulch rates (no mulch and application of rice straw mulch @6 t/ha). Irrigation regime, I0.75 and I0.8 resulted in higher crop biomass, however the seed yield and water productivity were highest under I0.50 and I0.6. Deep tillage with mulch resulted in higher seed yield and water productivity in comparison to conventional tillage with no mulch. Medium irrigated regime (I0.50 and I0.6) coupled with deep tillage and rice straw mulch was found to be effective in improving the seed yield of mung bean in loamy sand soils in north-west India.

The Use of Mulch and Shading Improves the Survival of Sclerophyllous Species Established in Island Plots in Central Chile

Climate change is threatening the restoration efforts in Mediterranean ecosystems, and there is still little knowledge about the responses of some sclerophyllous species to plant management techniques. This study assessed the effects of the planting date, use of mulch, and controlling light levels on the early survival and growth of sclerophyllous species established in island plots. A factorial design was installed in the Metropolitan Region of central Chile, with a treatment combination that included three planting dates (January: midsummer, April: autumn, and June: winter), three light levels (full sun exposed (T0), shaded at 35% (T35), and shaded at 70% (T70)), and two mulch levels (no mulch versus mulch application). Additionally, we tested the species effects within the island plot. We measured survival, as well as plant diameter and height increments, 1 year after establishment. Each island plot contained three seedlings of Acacia caven Mol., two of Quillaja saponaria Mol., two of Maytenus boaria Mol., one of Schinus polygamus (Cav.) Cabrera, and one of Cryptocarya alba (Mol.) Losser. We found a significant main effect for all the factors assessed. Despite the high mortality in the trial, survival was increased around fourfold by planting in winter, using mulch, or using either of the shading levels. At the species level, average survival ranged from 7% for C. alba to 27% for S. polygamous. To increase plant survival in the restoration of this ecosystem, it is necessary to intensify the management techniques and the use of these types of eco-technologies; if not, the restoration may fail.

Companion plants and straw mulch reduce cabbage stem flea beetle (Psylliodes chrysocephala) damage on oilseed rape.

Plant diversification, especially sowing crops with the addition of companion plants has been demonstrated as a suitable practice to increase insect pest control in multiple cropping systems. Since the ban on use of neonicotinoid seed treatments in oilseed rape (OSR), the harvested area has reduced significantly in Europe, mainly because of the damage caused by cabbage stem flea beetle (Psylliodes chrysocephala). Several companion plants such as legumes and other species of Brassicaceae have been reported as potential companions for OSR but robust evaluation of their efficiency to reduce cabbage stem flea beetle damage in replicated trials is lacking. Four field trials were conducted in the UK and Germany to test the effect of different companion plants, or the addition of straw mulch, on cabbage stem flea beetle adult feeding and larval infestation in OSR. We found significant differences in the level of feeding damage between treatments in all experiments. Combinations of OSR with cereal companion plants or with straw mulch showed the strongest reduction in adult feeding damage. A protective effect of legumes was also observed in one trial. Differences in larval infestation were also observed between treatments but were not consistent and might be more related to the OSR plant biomass than to treatments. This study shows that companion planting can protect OSR crops from cabbage stem flea beetle adult feeding damage. We show for the first time that not only legumes, but also cereals and the application of straw mulch can have a strong protective effect on the crop. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Post-fire wood mulch negatively affects the moss biocrust cover and its positive effects on microbial diversity in a semi-arid Mediterranean forest

Mulches are highly effective in mitigating the risk of erosion generated after wildfires in fire-prone ecosystems. Despite being a technique commonly used, it remains completely unexplored how mulches interact with the positive effects of the emergent moss biocrust on the recovery and resilience of soils and their microbial communities. For this purpose, the effects of wood-based mulch were assayed on the soil stability and moisture improvement, the nutrient inputs, and the response of microbial biomass, activity, composition, and diversity. Soils were studied after one year of wood mulch application at two rates representing possible scenarios, “Rate 1” (65 % of soil cover), and “Rate 2” (100 % of cover), and “Control” soils without mulch. The biocrust development had a positive impact on soil aggregate stability and moisture retention before mulch application. However, one year after the mulch application the biocrust cover was drastically inhibited, especially at the highest rate of mulch. Independently of the biocrust presence, soils at Rate 1 registered a tendency to higher nitrogen content, available phosphorous, basal respiration, and microbial biomass carbon, suggesting an incipient recovery of soil conditions and soil functionality. However, the microbial community composition became more homogeneous and less diverse under the mulch presence (regardless of the application rate), and the positive effect of moss biocrust emergence on the microbial diversity was diluted after one year. The fungal community was particularly sensitive to the wood mulch presence, increasing in richness in response to fresh wood incorporation to soils, in particular saprotrophs and yeasts. The fungal and bacterial compositional shifts after the mulch application reveal an incipient wood decomposition stage, but the transitory loss in beta diversity after the moss biocrust suppression warns about the necessity of including the microbial diversity information into post-fire management planning. Studying the effects of forest management on the above and belowground soil communities is essential to understanding the resistance and resilience of semi-arid forests to the increasing intensity and severity of wildfires.

PENGARUH PEMBERIAN MULSA DAN BEBERAPA JENIS PUPUK DAUN TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN DAN HASIL TANAMAN TERUNG (Solanum melongena L.)

Eggplant is a type of vegetable that is used as an ingredient in vegetables or fresh vegetables. The nutritional content of eggplant is very high, especially the content of vitamin A and phosphorus. However, eggplant productivity has decreased along with the lack of nutrients absorbed. Therefore, mulch and foliar fertilizer are the right innovations to be applied to support the eggplant. The existence of mulch to suppress the growth of weeds and the availability of nutrients N, P, and K in the soil. The purpose of this study was to determine the application of mulch and foliar fertilizer to the growth and production of eggplant plants. This research was conducted in Banjarejo Village, Kedungpring District, Lamongan Regency. This study used a Randomized Block Design (RAK) with a factorial pattern with 3 replications, consisting of 2 factors, namely: type of mulch (M) and leaf fertilizer (D). The first factor consisted of 3 types of mulch, namely: no mulch (M0), straw mulch (M1) and silver black plastic mulch (M2). The second factor of foliar fertilizer consisted of 3 levels, namely: growmore foliar fertilizer (D1), mamigro foliar fertilizer (D2), and gandasil D (M3) leaf fertilizer. Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that the application of mulch and foliar fertilizers on the growth and production of eggplant plants had an interaction between the treatment of mulch and foliar fertilizers on plant height (42 DAP), fruit diameter, plant weight, and fruit weight per hectare at the age of 77 DAP. The application of black silver plastic mulch and mamigro leaf fertilizer got the best results on the parameters of plant height, fruit diameter, plant weight and fruit weight per hectare.

The Effect Of Groundwater Level And Organic Mulch Application On The Chemical Properties Of Peat Soil

&#x0D; Peat as agricultural land has various obstacles, one of the problems is the decrease in groundwater level. This can have an impact on the availability of nutrients in the soil. Therefore, water management is an absolute necessity for agricultural activities on peatlands. Another effort that can be made to increase the fertility of peatlands as agricultural land is to use organic mulch. This study aims to analyze the effect of peat water level and application of organic mulch on the chemical properties of peat soil planted with corn. This research was conducted in Air Terbit Village, Riau Province and the Soil Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Riau, from February to July 2021. This research used a factorial complete randomized design (CRD) method consisting of 2 factors. The first factor was the various heights of the groundwater level which consisted of 3 levels (30 cm, 40 cm and 50 cm), while the second factor was various types of organic mulch (without mulch, mulch of empty oil palm bunches, mulch of rice straw and mulch of corn stover). The results showed that the GWL 30 cm treatment and rice straw mulch increased the pH, Ca and Mg values ​​better than the other treatments, the N element also increased at GWL 30 cm. In general, the two treatment factors also increased the values ​​of P, CEC and Na in some experimental units. C-organic and K values ​​decreased after the treatment compared to the criteria of the soil before treatment.

Impact of Mulch and Irrigation Schedules on Yield and Quality of Spring Sunflower in Tarai Region of Northern India

The field experiment was carried out at Forage Block, Instructional Dairy Farm, Nagla, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture &amp; Technology, Pantnagar (Uttarakhand) in spring 2019 to, study the effect of mulches and irrigation schedules on productivity and water use efficiency of spring sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in Mollisols of Uttarakhand (India). The experiment consisted of 03 levels of mulches i.e., control (no mulch), straw mulch @ 6t/ha and polythene mulch (black) in the main plot and 04 levels of irrigation schedules i.e., critical stages (button, flowering, and seed filling stage), 0.8, 1.0 and 1.2 IW/CPE ratios in subplots, was laid out in split-plot design with three replications. Under the application of polythene mulch, significant seed output was observed that was statistically comparable to straw mulch. Under polythene mulch, seed yield was found to be 4.6% and 18.5% greater than under straw mulch and control, respectively. The polythene mulch produced significantly higher stover yield that was non-significant with straw mulch Polythene mulch produced 8.10% and 10.4 % higher stover than straw mulch and control, respectively. Sunflower seed yield differed significantly among irrigation schedules. Irrigation applied at 1.2 IW/CPE produced significantly the highest seed yield that was 5.4, 11.1, and 14.8% greater than irrigation scheduled at 1.0, 0.8 IW/CPE, and critical stages, respectively. Among the irrigation schedules, stover yield was recorded 5.8, 8.0, and 10.8% higher under the 1.2 IW/CPE ratio than 1.0, 0.8 IW/CPE ratio, and critical stages, respectively. Overall, it is highlighted that polythene mulch gives significantly higher productivity and quality parameters. 1.2 IW/CPE ratios give significantly the highest seed yield, higher protein content and oil content.

ORGANIC MULCHING TO CONSERVE SOIL NUTRITIONAL QUALITY AND ENHANCE WHEAT YIELD

Nutritional degradation of soil is an alarming issue of present agriculture due to extensive farming to overcome food security. A field experiment was conducted during rabi season 2021- 22 at the research area of Arid Zone Research Centre (AZRC), Dera Ismail Khan to assess the efficiency of two types of mulches (farm manure (FM) and wheat straw (WS) to conserve soil nutrient capacity with improving wheat yield. Wheat variety “AARI-2011” was sown @ 150 kg/ ha and fertilizers were applied @ 120-90-60 kg/ha of NPK using Randomized Complete Block Design. The soil was sampled from 0-60 cm depth after the wheat crop harvesting and was examined for soil NO3 -1 nitrogen, available P and extractable K. Wheat straw and grain yields were taken at maturity showing significant improvement with increasing mulch application. Plant grain samples were also analyzed for nutrient (N, P and K) concentrations. The data were statistically analyzed using the ANOVA technique and the means of the treatments were compared using HSD (Tuckey’s) test with 5% significance. An eloquent increase in nutritional components NO3 -1, P and K of the top 30 cm soil layer and crop grain was observed. It was concluded that the application of organic wastes as soil cover not only conserves soil but also enhances its productivity. Therefore, it is recommended to use mulching materials to conserve soil and enhance productivity.