Mulching: A novel boon impacting on soil health and crop production in agriculture

Abstract

Mulching is the scientific process of covering the soil to make more favorable conditions for plant growth, development and efficient crop production. Mulch term technically means “covering the soil”. Mulching is technically a process or practice of covering the soil/ground to make more favourable conditions for plant growth, development and efficient crop production. The enrichment of soil fertility and nutrient management is very important to get higher crop production and productivity which is gained by improving soil basically. Natural mulches such as leaf, straw, dead leaves and compost have been used for centuries, during the last many years the synthetic materials and plastics has altered the methods and benefits of mulching. The down regulation of evaporation also has a supplementary effect; it prevents the rise of water containing salt, which is important in countries with high salt content water resources. Thus, mulching helps to improve soil fertility of different agro climatic conditions. Awareness about mulching technology is still needed to farmers to improve their crop yield and for sustainable agriculture.