Vol. 11, Special Issue 7 (2022)

Author(s):
A Nithisha, Kangujam Bokado and Kakarla Sushma Charitha

Abstract:
Mulch is an organic or inorganic protective layer that covers the soil and modifies some of the soil properties for the better performance of the crop. Mulching is one of the important techniques that are used in crops to increase crop yield. Even though mulching is commonly done in the horticultural crops, in recent years it is also being used in the field crops. Mulches regulate the soil temperature and reduce the leaching of fertilizer and help in weed suppression and help to increase the crop yield. Nowadays, the usage of water in agriculture has become a concerning issue. So, mulching can be followed as a quick solution to reduce the water loss to a certain extent. This paper reviews the research information published on organic and inorganic mulches. Mulching is done with organic material like straw, cover crops, etc. and plastics are used as inorganic material. The mulches used for the crops are varied depending on the different agricultural environments. The organic mulch adds organic matter to the soil which improves soil health and the black plastic mulch is highly effective than other mulches.