Studying the Effects of Different Mulch Materials on Plant Growth and Soil Moisture Conservation

Abstract

Mulching is one of the important agronomic practices in conserving soil moisture and modifying the soil physical environment. Wheat is an important food crop in Pakistan and is sensitive to soil moisture stress. Lab scale research experiment was carried out at IESE, NUST, Islamabad, Pakistan to estimate the effects of different types of organic mulches on soil properties and growth and development of wheat. Four different types of mulches (vermicompost, farmyard manure, wheat straw and poultry litter) were used in experiment and results were compared with control (no mulch) treatment. Results depict that mulching, specially vermicompost significantly increased soil moisture retention and positively affects plant growth thus increasing spike length and plant biomass. Soil analysis showed that electrical conductivity and organic matter was increased by 59.5% and 70.2% respectively due to percolation of nutrients from mulch materials. While soil available potassium was increased by 55.46% and soil phosphorus was also increased. Plant analysis showed that plant shoot was enhanced by 1.2 times. Root length was increased by 95.5% respectively, in vermicompost treatment as compared to control. Maximum spike length was achieved in vermicompost where an increase of 1.3 times was observed as compared to control. Therefore, it was concluded that under water scarcity conditions, mulching will be beneficial for wheat crop and may contribute for better plant growth and performance especially in rainfed and dry areas.