Soil Mulching Research Articles

Effect of mulching practice as soil moisture conservation for tomato(Lycopersicon esculentumMill.) production under supplemental irrigation in Yabello district of Borana zone, Ethiopia

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of mulching materials on water retention, tomato yield and yield components, and water productivity. The experiment was laid out in RCBD consisting of four treatments namely:- black polyethylene mulch, white polyethylene mulch, Organic mulch, and no mulch with three replications. The results revealed that the application of mulching materials significantly influences the water retention. From the result, maximum water retention (26.8 %) was recorded under black polyethylene mulch followed by Organic mulchas compared to no mulch plot. The result on fruit yieldshowed that, yield was increased up to 120% in plots mulched with black polyethylene over the no mulched plots. Among the different treatments applied for mulching, the maximum tomato yield (42.02 tonha-1) and (28.11 tonha-1) were recorded under black polyethylene mulch and Organic mulch respectively as compare to no much. The results revealed that the application of polyethylene mulch significantly influenced the tomato yield and yield components. Among the applied treatments, the maximum and minimum plant heights (71.00cm and38.33cm) were recorded under black polyethylene and no mulch respectively. The low mean yield of tomato (19.18 tonha-1 ) was recorded under no mulch. The study revealed that, themaximum water productivity (4.032 kg/m3) was obtained from black polythene mulch. Thus, it was concluded that, soil mulching materials have distinct effects on tomato development and yield depending on their color materials. Based on result obtained, the practice of mulching particularly with black polyethylene mulch can be recommended because of its higher water use efficiency, higher fruit yield, and economically more profitable than the other mulching types for the study area.

Plant spatial configurations and their influences on phenological traits of cereal and legume crops under maize‐based intercropping systems

AbstractIntroductionIntercropping systems have a great potential for crop diversification thus increasing smallholder systems' resilience to climate change while improving soil health. However, optimal benefits associated with intercropping systems are rarely realised because of the interspecific competition for growth resources among the intercropped species.MethodologySix trials were established in the high and low rainfall agroecological zones of Babati district in Tanzania to assess how promising cropping systems with different plant spatial configurations would influence the phenological development of intercropped maize, bean and pigeonpea. Cropping systems under study included a sole maize system rotated with a pigeonpea‐bean intercrop dubbed Doubled‐up legume (DUL), maize‐pigeonpea system both with and without de‐topping, an innovation comprising double maize rows alternated with pigeonpea and beans (Mbili‐Mbili), maize‐pigeonpea system with two maize seeds sown within a 50 cm intra‐row space, a vertical‐architecture Meru H513‐pigeonpea system and a farmer practice.ResultsBranch formation was significantly higher in DUL than in maize‐based systems (p ≤ 0.05). Seasonal weather had upto 30% influence on pigeonpea flowering, with DUL having highest (p ≤ 0.05) flower production. The rate of pigeonpea branch and flower production in Mbili‐Mbili was stable across seasons relative to other maize‐pigeonpea systems. Doubled‐up legume and farmer practice had pigeonpea litter yield of between 1 and 2 t ha−1 which was at least 0.5 t ha−1 higher than in maize‐based systems (p ≤ 0.05). During the period preceding early maize reproductive stages, Mbili‐Mbili increased light interception by 30% and 63% compared to maize‐based systems and DUL, respectively. Maize toppings had higher (94%) P content than stover biomass that remained until harvest.ConclusionOverall, maize‐legume systems had higher intercropping efficacy than sole maize system, both in interception use efficiency, soil mulch cover, among other soil health benefits. Mbili‐Mbili and DUL also had increased phenological benefits on intercropped legumes however, the latter was prone to seasonal weather variability.

Impact of rice straw mulching on water consumption and productivity of orange trees [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck]

Impact of rice straw mulching on water consumption and productivity of orange trees [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck]

Nitrogen fertilization and desiccation times of palisadegrass pasture driving C and N-cycling traits in an Oxisol under soybean in a crop-livestock system

Nitrogen fertilization and desiccation times of palisadegrass pasture driving C and N-cycling traits in an Oxisol under soybean in a crop-livestock system

Analysis of small-scale soil CO2 fluxes in an orange orchard under irrigation and soil conservative practices

suggest the importance of integrating soil CO2 flux measurements with ancillary variables that explain the variability of the agrosystem and the need to conduct the measurements using different operational modalities, also providing for night-time monitoring of CO2. In addition, the study underlines that the small-scale chamber measurements can be used to estimate soil CO2 fluxes at orchard scale if fluxes are properly scaled.

EFFECTS OF RAINWATER HARVESTING PRACTICES ON BIOMASS YIELD AND MORPHOMETRIC TRAITS OF SORGHUM (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) IN SEMI-ARID KITUI COUNTY, KENYA

<p><strong>Background</strong>: Sorghum is an important source of fodder in the semi-arid areas of Kenya. However, its biomass yield has remained low due to the low soil moisture content which is associated with low rainfall. <strong> Objective:</strong> To evaluate the synergistic effects of combining rainwater harvesting practices on biomass yield and the morphometric traits of sorghum in semi-arid Kitui County. <strong>Methodology</strong>: The study was conducted in a randomized complete block design under rainfed conditions between March and August 2021 at the Research Farm of South Eastern Kenya University. It had twelve treatments, including three farming systems (conventional flat planting, ridge and furrow, and zai pits) with three soil mulching types (transparent plastic film mulch, black plastic film mulch, and grass mulch). The farming systems without mulching were used as control treatments. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and means were separated using Fisher’s protected Least Significant Difference test at 0.05 %. <strong>Results:</strong> The zai pits with black plastic film mulch and flat planting with grass mulch had the highest and lowest moisture content of 68.65% and 52.5% respectively compared to flat planting. The highest biomass yield was observed in ridge-furrow with black plastic film mulch (3283.33kg ha-<sup>1</sup>) and ridge–furrow with transparent plastic film mulch (3266.03) and was not significantly different. The lowest biomass yield was recorded in conventional flat planting and zai pits and was not significantly different. In all treatments, there was a significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) in morphometric traits. <strong>Implications: </strong>The farming system and the type of soil mulching determined the increase of soil moisture content, biomass yield, and morphometric traits. <strong>Conclusion</strong>: Combining ridge-furrow and black plastic mulch is recommended to improve the biomass yield of sorghum in semi-arid Kitui County, and other areas with similar agroecological conditions.</p>

Ridge-furrow film mulch with nitrogen fertilization improves grain yield of dryland maize by promoting root growth, plant nitrogen uptake and remobilization

Ridge-furrow film mulch with nitrogen fertilization improves grain yield of dryland maize by promoting root growth, plant nitrogen uptake and remobilization

Biodegradable mulching materials for agriculture: technology and environmental safety

Soil mulching is a common agricultural technique that reduces moisture loss, suppresses weeds, regulates soil temperature, and generally increases yield. Traditionally, low-density polyethylene is used for these purposes due to its mechanical and barrier properties, resistance to all forms of degradation, simple processing of cover soil, and low cost. However, using polyethylene has several artificial and environmental risks associated with difficult biodegradability, the difficulty of its removal after the harvest cycle, and final disposal. Therefore, there is great interest in the use of biodegradable mulch films. Two groups of materials most suitable for producing biodegradable coatings are polysaccharides of natural origin and biopolymers of synthetic origin. Technological methods for producing biopolymers from raw natural material by extraction from biomass and chemical or biotechnological methods are analyzed. Data are presented on the potential of biodegradable mulch materials of natural origin, films based on polysaccharides, synthetic polymers, and those applied as a solution for possible replacement of traditional mulch materials. A comparison was made of the compositions of biodegradable coatings, their properties, and their effects when used. The prospects and ways of introducing biodegradable film materials into agricultural practice are summarized.

Effects of Paclobutrazol Application and Soil Mulching on Flower Induction and Physiological Conditions in Durian Trees (Durio zibethinus Murr.)

Effects of Paclobutrazol Application and Soil Mulching on Flower Induction and Physiological Conditions in Durian Trees (<i>Durio zibethinus</i> Murr.)

Effect of Different Mulch Materials on the Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea Mays) on Coastal Plain Sand in Southern Nigeria

The presence of residue mulches in farm has been known to effectively save the soil surface, prevent soil erosion on slopes, help reduce soil moisture loss through evapotranspiration and insulates soil, protect roots from extreme temperature, improve soil biology, aeration, aggregation of soil particles and reduce drainage over-time, improve soil fertility as certain mulch type decompose, inhibit plant diseases, give planting beds a uniform and provide favourable preservation of ecological stability. This experiment was conducted in Teaching and research farm of Akwa ibom State University, Obio Akpa Campus to assess the effect of sawdust, calopogonium leaves, and siam weed on microbial, physicochemical properties and performance of White Maize (Zea mays) on a coastal plain sand of Obio Akpa in Southern Nigeria. Results showed that soil mulches with calopogonium mucunoides recorded highest in the following parameters measured; ECEC 10.35%, Cmol and AV.P323mg/kg-1,% base saturation (91.11),100% seed emergence and less leaf area, the highest moisture(35%) was obtain in the soil mulched with saw dust. The highest moisture content in Zea mays ,(5.63%) crude fibre (3.91), lipid (4.71), Total Ash(4.42) and carbohydrates (61.98%) were obtained in the soil mulched calopogonium mucunoides while the highest bacterial count 37x105cful/g-1 and fungi counts 5.1x103cfu/g_1 which gives rise to typical adult characteristics of soil derived from coastal plain sand.

Mulching effects on soil evaporation, crop evapotranspiration and crop coefficients: a review aimed at improved irrigation management

AbstractMulching is a widely adopted agronomic practice, often used as a water-saving strategy due to its effectiveness in reducing soil evaporation. However, effects vary depending on the materials used and the extent of mulch soil coverage. Consequently, the impacts of mulching may differ considerably across production systems, preventing the establishment of reliable guidelines for irrigation water management. The objective of this study is to comprehensively review existing literature that compares mulching versus no-mulching management, aiming to gain a deeper understanding of the effects of mulching on soil evaporation (Es), crop coefficients (Kc), and actual crop evapotranspiration (ETc act). 58 studies were selected. The impact of mulching was particularly notable in the early crop stages, when the soil is not fully covered. Data in literature shows that plastic films were more effective in reducing Kc than organic materials. However, this effect, while evident during the early crop stages, diminished throughout the rest of the season. Black plastic films were more effective during the early crop stages compared to other colored plastics, particularly relative to the decrease of Kc, but this effect also diminishes during the rest of the season. Building upon these findings, the study provides guidelines for expected reductions in Kc values based on the type of crop, crop stage, and the mulching material most used in each cropping system.

Three-dimensional deviation analysis and digital visualization of shape change before and after conservation treatment of historic kiln site

The Gangjin Celadon Kiln, after its excavation in 1982, was relocated and restored in 1987 and subjected to primary conservation treatment in 2007. However, many problems such as soil disintegration and cavitation occurred in the kiln until recently. In this study, the shape changes due to the conservation treatment in 2020, which was performed to maintain the original shape of the kiln site, were recorded via three-dimensional (3D) scanning, and numerical analysis was conducted to ensure continuous monitoring and preventive conservation. From the results of this study, the locations and ranges of shape changes before and after the conservation treatment of the kiln site were identified through root-mean-square (RMS) deviation analysis and visualization, and the ranges of reinforcement and soil mulch removal were quantified through the deviations at different points. In particular, the most noticeable shape changes occurring from the conservation treatment on the kiln site with 11.2 m long and 16.7° slope were around 15 mm, and many relative changes of 40 mm or more were also observed. In addition, a reinforcement of approximately 40 mm thickness at the least and a flattening were prominently evident on the floor of the working space; the inside of the combustion chamber was visualized with a reinforcement of at least about 50 mm. Damage caused by natural or artificial factors is expected because two extensive conservation treatments were applied in 2007 and 2020 to the kiln sites. Therefore, short-term monitoring using periodic 3D scanning and time-series data comparisons is necessary for the identification of the point of shape change and the determination of major damaged areas so that a mid- to long-term monitoring plan can be established based on the findings of such observations. In addition, predictive modeling research is mandated to detect areas in the entire kiln site that exhibit a greater probability of deterioration based on the available shape change data.

Occurrence, potential sources, and ecological risks of traditional and novel organophosphate esters in facility agriculture soils: A case study in Beijing, China

Although traditional organophosphate esters (OPEs) in soils have attracted widespread interest, there is little information on novel OPEs (NOPEs), especially in facility agriculture soils. In this work, we surveyed 11 traditional OPEs, four NOPEs, and four corresponding organophosphite antioxidant precursors (OPAs) for the NOPEs in soil samples collected from facility greenhouses and open fields. The median summed concentrations of traditional OPEs and NOPEs were 14.1μg/kg (range: 5.38-115μg/kg) and 702μg/kg (range: 348-1952μg/kg), respectively, in film-mulched soils from greenhouses. These concentrations were much higher than those in soils without mulch films, which suggests that OPEs in soils are associated with plastic mulch films. Tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate, which is a NOPE produced by oxidation of (2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite, was the predominant congener in farmland soils, with concentrations several orders of magnitude greater than those of traditional OPEs. Comparisons of OPEs in different mulch films and the corresponding mulched soils revealed that degradable and black films caused more severe pollution than polyethylene and white films. Traditional OPEs, including tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate and tricresyl phosphate, exhibited moderate risks in farmland soils, especially in film-mulched soils. NOPEs, including trisnonylphenol phosphate, posed high ecological risks to the terrestrial ecosystem. Risk evaluations should be conducted for a broad range of NOPEs in the environment.

Crescimento e produção do feijão-caupi sob estresse hídrico e cobertura de solo

ABSTRACT Cowpea is a crop of high socioeconomic importance for the semi-arid region of Brazil, although facing significant yield losses due to drought, requiring management strategies to overcome this scenario. From this perspective, this study aimed to evaluate the growth and yield of cowpea genotypes under drought in different cultivation systems. The statistical design was randomized blocks arranged in a 2 × 4 × 2 factorial scheme corresponding to two cowpea genotypes (BRS Pujante and Costela de Vaca), four levels of crop evapotranspiration (40, 60, 80, and 100%), and two cultivation systems (with and without soil mulching). The BRS Pujante showed a higher leaf area and 100-grain weight than Costela de Vaca under all levels of crop evapotranspiration. The cowpea yield parameters showed the best results at 80 and 100% crop evapotranspiration. Regardless of the genotype, soil mulching provided higher cowpea 100-grain weight values. Soil mulching combined with 80% crop evapotranspiration is an appropriate strategy for cowpea production.

Integrating soil mulching and subsurface irrigation for optimizing deficit irrigation effectiveness as a water-rationing strategy in tomato production

Irrigated agriculture from now on should be implemented under water scarcity. Hence, this research was designed to determine the optimal interaction between irrigation water-rationing strategy (deficit irrigation), irrigation techniques, and soil mulching to improve water use efficiency and maintaining plant performance as well as yield productivity of tomatoes. The experiment was set up during the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 growing seasons. Three factors were studied: two drip irrigation techniques, surface (SI) and subsurface (SSI) irrigation, and two irrigation rates, 100% ETc for full irrigation (FI) and 60% ETc for deficit-irrigation (DI) along with three treatments of soil mulching, bare soil (BS), organic mulch (OrM) and black polyethylene mulch (BPE). The results demonstrated that applying the absolute regular DI regime significantly reduced vegetative growth, fruit yield, and yield component along with water productivity. Also, it reduced the physiological function measures, and nutrient content of the tomato leaf. Meanwhile, applying the DI regime via the SSI technique and integrated with BPE soil mulching proved the best optimization of the DI negative effect followed by applying the DI regime through either SSI or SI technique combined with OrM or BPE soil mulching, respectively. As a result, it is advisable to use the integration of DI via the SSI accompanied by BPE soil mulching since this is considered a good method for conserving irrigation water from being lost by both evaporation and seepage out of the root zone improving water use efficiency without significantly reducing tomato yield.

Influence of prescribed fire intensity and grass mulch on soil erosion and runoff under rainfed maize in Nigeria

Influence of prescribed fire intensity and grass mulch on soil erosion and runoff under rainfed maize in Nigeria

Nitrogen transformations in plastic-film mulched soils

Nitrogen transformations in plastic-film mulched soils

Distribution pattern and risk assessment of microplastics contamination in different agricultural systems

ABSTRACT To explore the existence of microplastics (MPs) in agricultural soils in the Coimbatore region of Tamil Nadu, India, this study was carried out in six agricultural sites with distinct agronomic practices and agricultural inputs. Using the density-digestion separation method, 81% of organic matter (OM) in soils was removed and MPs were quantified and characterised using a stereo microscope and ATR-FTIR. MP abundance of treated sewage irrigated field (1,650 items kg−1) > paddy field (1,500 items kg−1) > integrated farming system field (1,250 items kg−1) > inorganic fertilisers applied field (1,025 items kg−1) > organic manures applied field (1,000 items kg−1) > plastic mulched field (800 items kg−1) was assessed with more than 50% MPs at < 500 µm size, which exhibited that smaller MPs tend to transfer into soil layers and affect soil organisms through the food chain. The most prevailing MP colours were blue (37.71%), black (29.41%), and pink (23.87%) with polyethylene as a widely distributed polymer type among all MPs composition. The risk assessment revealed the highest hazard level in plastic mulched soil with category V contamination irrespective of the MPs abundance. This study emphasises the significant influence of agricultural inputs, irrigation practices, location, and atmospheric inputs of MPs in agricultural sites and provides a baseline for further research to understand the trophic transfer of MPs in agricultural ecosystems and its effects on the food chain.

Fertigation frequency is a useful tool for nitrate management in intensive open-field agriculture

The main source of nitrogen for most cultivated plants is nitrate. Agriculture has overused this nutrient, resulting in serious environmental problems in various parts of the world. The common practice in open intensive horticultural fields with clay-loam soils with a high water retention capacity (e.g., high percentage of clay) is to irrigate two to four times per week. Technically and logistically, this is much easier than one or more irrigation events per day. However, the loss of nutrients and water below the root zone may occur, with the consequent loss of efficiency. In this work, two cultivation cycles in an open-field endive crop were carried out under plastic soil mulching. We compared three fertigation strategies based on different frequencies of fertigation events; low fertigation frequency (LF, two to three fertigation events per week that simulates common farmer practice), medium fertigation frequency (MF, one fertigation event per day), and high fertigation frequency (HF, three fertigation events per day). The three fertigation strategies applied equal water and fertilizers doses per week. The high fertigation frequency increased volumetric water content in the upper soil profile, while the low fertigation frequency in the lower soil profile. The results demonstrated that HF fertigation increases shoot fresh weight (harvest yield) by increasing shoot water content, but did not improve shoot nutrient uptake or nitrogen nutritional status. The important finding, from the environment point of view, is that high and medium fertigation frequencies decreased nitrate concentration in the root influence zone, where it may be prone to leaching due to heavy rain events.

Unanswered questions and unquestioned answers: the challenges of crop residue retention and weed control in Conservation Agriculture systems of southern Africa

Abstract Production and utilization of crop residues as mulch and effective weed management are two central elements in the successful implementation of Conservation Agriculture (CA) systems in southern Africa. Yet, the challenges of crop residue availability for mulch or the difficulties in managing weed proliferation in CA systems are bigger than a micro-level focus on weeds and crop residues themselves. The bottlenecks are symptoms of broader systemic complications that cannot be resolved without appreciating the interactions between the current scientific understanding of CA and its application in smallholder systems, private incentives, social norms, institutions, and government policy. In this paper, we elucidate a series of areas that represent some unquestioned answers about chemical weed control and unanswered questions about how to maintain groundcover demanding more research along the natural and social sciences continuum. In some communities, traditional rules that allow free-range grazing of livestock after harvesting present a barrier in surface crop residue management. On the other hand, many of the communities either burn, remove, or incorporate the residues into the soil thus hindering the near-permanent soil cover required in CA systems. The lack of soil cover also means that weed management through soil mulch is unachievable. Herbicides are often a successful stopgap solution to weed control, but they are costly, and most farmers do not use them as recommended, which reduces efficacy. Besides, the use of herbicides can cause environmental hazards and may affect human health. Here, we suggest further assessment of the manipulation of crop competition, the use of vigorously growing cover crops, exploration of allelopathy, and use of microorganisms in managing weeds and reducing seed production to deplete the soil weed seed bank. We also suggest in situ production of plant biomass, use of unpalatable species for mulch generation and change of grazing by-laws towards a holistic management of pastures to reduce the competition for crop residues. However, these depend on the socio-economic status dynamics at farmer and community level.