Types of Mulch and Its Benefits
Mulch is a material placed on the soil surface to maintain moisture, reduce weed growth, mitigate soil erosion and improve soil conditions.Mulching is one of the simplest and beneficial practices for soil and moisture conservation. Mulch is simply protective layer of material that is spread on top of the soil to prevent it from blowing and being washed away. Mulch can either be organic such as grass clippings, straw, bark chips and similar materials or inorganic such as stones brick chips and plastic.Mulching is done in a wide range of vegetable and orchid crops. Crops like capsicum, cabbage, cauliflower, chili, okra, tomato, brinjal, papaya, potato, pomegranate, lemon, guava, banana, apricot, and guava show better results with mulching.
Mulches are categorized based on their composition:
Organic mulches
Inorganic mulches
1. Organic mulch:
These mulches are farmer-friendly as they become manure after decomposition and improve soil fertility. Organic mulches are leaves, sawdust, wood chips, pruned bark parts, coconut coir, gunny bags, jute bags, Kitchen waste, newspaper, cardboard, Peat moss, animal waste, grass clippings, dried leaves, Garden waste, farmyard manure, etc. A fully decomposed compost is used to reduce phytotoxicity. The mulching materials must be free of weeds to avoid the growth of weeds.
Types of organic mulch:
Compost/ Manure/ Peat
Grass clippings
Dry leaves
Sawdust
Straw
Newspaper
2. Inorganic mulches:
These mulches do not have any soil-improving properties (adding fertilizers). Plastic mulch is mostly used as inorganic mulch.a. Plastic mulches
Benefits of mulching:
Retains soil moistur
Control weeds
Increase soil nutrition
Control soil erosion
Regulates soil temperature
Water conservation
Efficient use of waste
Prevents leaching of fertilizers
Prevent the spread of pests and diseases
Reduce pesticide use
For further details contact:
Ms. U. Unnimaya, B.Sc.,(Hons) Agriculture, Email: unnimaya1722@gmail.com and Dr. B.Guna, Associate Professor Department of Agricultural Extension, Nalanda College of Agriculture, M. R. Palayam,Trichy Email: baluguna8789@gmail.com Tel:9944541459.