Organic and Synthetic Mulching: Effects on Soil-Plant Productivity and Environment

Abstract

Soil and water conservation are the important aspects in modern world, because of the scarcity of water, agricultural land degradation and soil loss mainly due to erosion. Mulching, a way to conserve both soil and water by covering it with different kinds of materials like organic (crop plant, compost, manures) or synthetic (paper, plastics, Aluminum foils). It controls evaporation rate and aids in managing soil and air microclimate. Through favorable microclimate, it improves soil physic-ochemical and biological properties. Mulches act as a soil cover to resist against erosion and provide congenial condition for plant growth. Mulching encourages soil and crop productivity, reduces the emergence of greenhouse gases and suppression of weeds. Plastic mulches are also becoming popular among farmers due to their low cost and easy handling. These materials have a greater importance than the organic ones as they are highly employable in controlled soil environment and could enhance soil-crop productivity. Mulching helps to balance hydro-thermal regimes by maintaining radiation flux, heat and water vapor transfer rate and soil heat capacity. Nowadays, biodegradable plastic mulches are employed which are relatively more sustainable as compared to conventional plastic mulches. The degradable nature of plastic mulches favors the microbial activities in soil, subsequently enhancing the productivity. The mulching could be effective in plant roots protection from hot, cold or drought conditions. This part covers the broader aspects related to application of mulches in maintaining microclimate and soil-plant productivity.