Mulching plays a very crucial role in the production of NARC G1 Garlic. It is dry, vegetative material used to cover the soil. Mulching helps reduce evaporation and retain moisture, reduce soil erosion, suppress weed growth and provide plant nutrients as the material decomposes. Mulch can be used in fields before and after planting, as well as around young crop plants.
The word mulch is derived from the German word molsch means “easy to decay,” and mulches have widely been used for vegetable production since ancient times.
Use of paddy straw mulch in NARC G1 Garlic
After sowing NARC G1 Garlic we use paddy as mulch. Mulching is a treatment that has a positive effect on the yield. A mulch layer protects the soil from drying and limits development of NARC G1 garlic as well as other crops. Take 1-2 tons of rice straw and apply a layer of 1-2 inches. Mulching will help control weeds as well as increase soil fertility and retain soil moisture by protecting the soil from direct sunlight.
Advantages of Mulching in NARC G1 Garlic
Soil moisture conservation
Many abiotic factors are responsible for the loss of moisture from the soil and converting it into barren land. These variables could be high winds, elevated temperature levels, harsh climatic conditions, and competing plantation such as weeds. It has been estimated that presence of weeds could result in loss of water up to 25% due to evapotranspiration. Mulches can potentially reduce weed infestation and evaporation losses and enhance the percolation and retention rate of soil. It was reported that straw mulch can decrease the rate of evaporation by 35%. Mulches can reduce the irrigation requirement of crop plants, and sometimes, they can totally finish the need of irrigation.
Weeds control
Mulches contribute to weed management in organic crops by reducing weed seed germination, blocking weed growth, and favoring the crop by conserving soil moisture and sometimes by moderating soil temperature. Organic mulches like straw suppress annual weed seedlings, conserve moisture, and add organic matter as they break down, but they are more labor-intensive to apply.
Minimizing soil compaction and erosion
The mulching materials protect the soil from wind and water erosion phenomenon and reduce the compaction of soil which can badly affect the roots of NARC HG1 Garlic consequently reducing the growth and development of bulb. Growing grass is the best example of living mulch on the slopes which reduces the soil erosion by aggregating the soil particles and binding in a complex unit. Using a thin layer of 0.6 inches of mulch could reduce the erosion for about 86%. Straws and other residues of cereal crops are most commonly used for the reduction of the soil erosion
Regulation of soil temperature
Mulching covers the soil surface, and hence, it is helpful in maintaining the soil temperature which is beneficial for overall crop growth. Many studies demonstrated that the application of mulch could keep the soil cool during very hot climatic conditions. The selection of specific mulching type for particular purpose is of significant importance. For instance, paddy straw mulches are more beneficial than the use of black plastic mulch in NARC G1 Garlic of the same category in controlling the temperature at favorable conditions.
Soil fertility improvement
The organic and living mulches possess numerous beneficial impacts on soil quality in terms of enhancing nutrients levels. However, the type of the material, soil characteristics, and climatic conditions determine the increase, decrease, or no effect on soil nutrients. The application of organic mulches is more beneficial because these can be decomposed in an appropriate environment, providing the nutrients.
