Role of Mulching in Dryland Agriculture

Abstract

The efficient use of water is crucial factor during crop growth periods which can greatly improve the yield .soil moisture is the most limiting factor in dryland agriculture. It is lost as evaporation from the soil surfaces and as transpiration from the plant surfaces .Evaporation has to be arrested as it is not directly related to productivity whereas transpiration can be reduced to some extent without affecting the productivity of plants. The evaporation losses can be reduced by applying mulches. The agriculture in dryland can be done with mulching in different ways as stubble mulching, plastic mulching, straw mulching and vertical mulching Therefore, conservation of soil moisture by using mulching may be an efficient option to save water as well as rising production in dryland farming.