Mulching in Horticultural Crops Bulletin)

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i

Extension Bulletin No. 1 (2010)

Copyright © 2010 by Precision Farming Development, Centre (PFDC), Central

Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Lucknow

First Edition, March, 2010

Published byPFDC, NCAPH, DAC, Ministry of Agriculture (Govt. of India)

and Director, Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture,

Rehmankhera, P.O. Kakori, Lucknow-226 107

Bibliographic citation

Singh, VK, Misra, Rajneesh and Pandey, Surbhi (2010) Mulching in HorticulturalCrops, PFDC, CISH, Lucknow-227 107 p. 20.

Cover design by

Authors

Edited by

Dr. D.K. Tandon and Sri Dheeraj Sharma

Printed at Army Printing Press, 33 Nehru Road, Sadar Cantt. Lucknow-2 Tel : 0522-2481164



ii

FOREWORD

Plants are of significant importance for mankind. Its

importance largely depends on the available quality planting

material. For maintaining the quality of plants, conducive

climatic condition is a sine-qua-non. Wherever the ambience

is not favourable for growing quality planting material, it

becomes indispensable to maintain the ground temperature

for its growth and overall health of the plants. Mulching is oneof the methods used since time immemorial for maintaining

soil temperature around the plant for the benefit of fruit

production.

Mulching refers to protecting the layer be covering the soil around the plants

for augmenting its growth and productivity by modifying the soil micro climate. It

also helps in improving the plant growth as well as the overall plant health. Formerly

agricultural waste was used as mulch material. But as time went by and there was

advancement in science and technology, different sorts of polyethylene sheets were

included in mulch material. Mulching embodies fallen leaves, needless, twigs, pieces

of bank and other organic materials. Gravel, pebbles and different kinds of plasticfilms can also be used as inorganic mulch.

Mulching is also an important practice for establishing new plantation as it

helps to conserve moisture in the root zone of the new plant until the roots have

grown out into the surrounding soil. It is of two basic types – organic and inorganic.

Besides the thickness, colour and quality of mulching material, the timing of mulching

is also exceedingly important.

The bulletin entitled “Mulching in Horticultural Crops” has been meticulously

planned for the orchardists, entrepreneurs and end users so that every horticulture

lover should get optimum mileage out of it. I congratulate all the authors for making

it an useful publication for one and all.

(H. Ravishanker)

Director

CISH, Lucknow



iii

PREFACE

With the onset of globalization and economic reforms,natural resources need to be planned and utilized efficiently.India faces challenges in the agriculture sector especially inhorticulture in the form of declining per capita land availability,over exploitation of ground water resources, increasing cost ofinputs. It has become necessary to create infrastructure andadopt appropriate practices to augment the utilizable resourcesand improve the efficiency of the horticultural production.

These issues can be addressed by integrated and comprehensiveapproach by adopting latest technologies with active

participation of all the stake holders. In order to enhance the productivity ofhorticultural crops, the Govt. of India has constituted a “National Committee onPlasticulture Application in Horticulture (NCPAH)”. The committee has the objectivesto evaluate the crop water requirement, cost benefit of microirrigation, developpackage of practices for precision farming, enhance adaptability by the farmersand support human resource development. The NCPAH functions like apex bodyunder the ministry of Agriculture under the chairmanship of the Union AgricultureMinister. The secretarial support is provided by Reliance Industries and the financeby Ministry of Agriculture. There are 22 Precision Farming Development Centre

located in different agro-climatic zones of the country coordinated by the NCPAH.The Govt. of India has launched Centrally Sponsored Scheme making provision of40 per cent assistance from the Central Government, 10 per cent assistance fromthe State Government and the farmers have to bear the 50 per cent of the cost only.

I am sure that the present bulletin on “Mulching in Horticultural Crops”would be of immense value to all the horticulturists, agriculture/horticulture officers,professionals, students, NGO’s manufactures and farmers. The bulletin containschapters on all the aspects of mulching, practical aspects of mulches including mulchmaterial, layout of mulching elucidated in scientific manner.

I am grateful to Dr. H.P. Singh, D.D.G. (Horticulture), ICAR, New Delhi, Dr.

H. Ravishankar, Director, CISH, Lucknow, Shri Krish S. Iyengar, Joint Secretary,NCPAH, DAC, MoA, Govt. of India, Shri Ashok Gahrotra, SPO, PFDC, NCPAH, ShriNaresh Modi, SPO, Microirrigation, NCPAH for their constant encouragement, guidanceand support in bringing out this publication. Finally we express our gratefulness toall those who have directly or indirectly helped in bringing out this bulletin.

(V.K. Singh)PS&PI, PFDC,

CISH, Lucknow



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CONTENTS

Forward iii

Preface iv

Introduction 1

Type of Mulch 1

Organic Mulch Material 1

Inorganic Mulch Material 3

Mulch Material 3

Colour of film 3

Thickness of film 3

Amount of mulch 4

Time of Mulching 4

Method of Spreading of Film 4

Advantages of Inorganic Mulch 5

Moisture conservation 5

Soil conservation 5

Soil temperature 5

Soil solarisation 5

Weed control 5

Root system 6

Physiological parameters 6

Protection against Diseases/Disorders 7

Yield 8

Government Interventions 8

List of Mulch Film Processors 9



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Mulching in Horticultural Crops

MULCHING IN HORTICULTURAL CROPS

Introduction

In the present scenario of globalizationand health consciousness demand forhorticultural crops has increased world over.Excessive competition has not only compelledus to produce more but also to produce qualityfruits for sustaining in the international market.Apart from using high yielding varieties and

good agricultural practices, there is a need toutilize environmental/biological energy forhigher production. At present, hi-techinterventions for quality enhancement areexpensive and unaffordable for the producersto compete in the market. Therefore, effectiveand economical utilization of natural resourcesby low cost technologies is judicious andadaptable. Of late, mulch, being a naturalresource, has become one of the most effectivetechnologies for optimum yield and qualityenhancement of crops besides reducing thecost of production. It stands to reason thatmulching can play a pivotal role in improvingthe economic condition of the growers,if adopted as per the advice.

Mulching in common parlance meanscovering the soil around the plant withsomething beneficial for production. Mulchinggenerally forms a protective layer around theplant for the benefit of its growth andproductivity by modifying in the soil microclimate. It also helps in improving the overallplant health.

The naturally available mulch materialsinclude fallen leaves, needles, twigs, pieces ofbark and other organic materials, etc.Alternatively, gravel, pebbles and different kindsof plastic films can be used as inorganic mulch.Mulching is also an important practice forestablishing new plantation as it helps toconserve moisture in the root zone of the newplant until the roots have grown out into the

surrounding soil. The growth rate of trees andshrubs increase when there is no competitionfor water and nutrients from weeds.

Type of Mulch

Formerly, merely agricultural waste wasused as mulch material. But with theadvancement of science and technology,different sorts of polyethylene sheets wereincluded in mulch materials. Principally, thereare two basic type of mulch materials.

Organic Mulch

An organic mulch is made up of naturalsubstance such as bark, wood chips, pineneedles, dry grasses, paddy straw, dry leaves,saw dust, grass clipping, etc. But organic mulchattract insects, slugs and the cutworms that eatthem. They get decomposed easily and needfrequent replacement.

Inorganic Mulch

Inorganic mulches are extensively used incommercial agriculture. Plastic mulch is themost versatile of all inorganic mulches as it doesnot decompose easily. Polyethylene andpolyvinyl chloride films too are used as mulchmaterials. Plastic film mulches, low densitypolyethylene (LDPE) or linear low densitypolyethylene (LLDP), are available in differenttypes of thickness, widths and colours in themarket.

Mulch Material

Organic Mulch Material

Organic mulch increases activity of micro-organisms in the soil by providing optimummoisture and temperature. Organic mulches areavailable in plenty but mulching is usuallydone with locally available materials as they



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are cost effective. Such mulch materials aredescribed below:

Grass Clipping

This is one of the most abundantly andeasily available mulch material across thecountry. It provides nitrogen to the soil, ifincorporated fresh. However, application ofgreen grass in rainy season may result into thedevelopment of its own root system which willbe detrimental to plant growth. Therefore, useof dry grass as mulch material is suggested.

NewspaperNewspaper mulching helps to control

weeds. One to two cm thick sheet of newspapershould be used and edges should be fastenedwith materials like pebbles, gravels, etc. Theapplication of newspaper mulch should beavoided on a windy day.

Dry leaves

Leaves, an easily available material, aregood for mulching. Though leaves are good for

protecting dormant plants during winter bykeeping them warm and dry but due to lightweight they may be blown away even by lightwind. To counter this problem, it requiresanchoring which can be done with stones,chipped bark and covering with net or someform of sheet.

Grass mulch in guava plants

Paddy mulch in mango plants

StrawPaddy and wheat straw are thecommonest mulching materials used for fruitand vegetable production. Though straw is poorin nutrient value but after decomposition, itmakes soil more fertile. Among organic mulchingmaterials, straw has a long life in comparisonto other mulches (grasses, leaves and leafmould).

Banana leaves mulch in mango

Bark clippings

These are good mulch materials as theyare long lasting and allow proper aeration tothe soil underneath. Hardwood bark clippingscontain more nutrients than softwood but barkclippings are not easily and abundantlyavailable, and some bark products may causephytotoxicity.

Saw dust

Saw dust, obtained during finishingoperation of wood, is very poor in nutritive valueas it contains only half the nutrients of straw. Itdecomposes slowly. Being acidic in nature, itshould not be used in acidic soils.



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CompostThe compost is one of the best mulch

materials. It increases microbial population,improves the soil structure and providesnutrients. It is the excellent material forimproving the health of soil.

Limitation of Organic Mulching Mulches can keep the soil too moist,

restricting oxygen in the root zone onpoorly drained soils.

If mulch is applied close to or in contactwith the stem, trapped moisture creates anenvironment conducive to development ofdiseases and pests. Many organic type ofmulches also encourage and providerefuge or breeding locations for snails,slugs, mice, etc. that may attack the plants.

Certain types of mulches such as hay andstraw contain seeds that may becomeweeds.

Inorganic Mulch Material

Gravel, Pebbles and Crushed stonesThese materials are used for perennial

crops. Small rock Layer of 3-4 cm provides goodweed control. But they reflect solar radiation andcan create a very hot soil environment duringsummer.

Plastic mulch

Both, black and transparent films aregenerally used for mulching. Advancement inplastic chemistry has resulted in developmentof films with optical properties that are ideal for

a specific crop in a given location.Horticulturists need to understand the optimumabove and below ground environment of aparticular crop before the use of plastic mulch.

Types of plastic mulch Photo-degradable plastic mulch – This

type of plastic mulch film gets destroyedby sun light in a shorter period.

Bio-degradable plastic mulch – This typeof plastic mulch film is easily degraded inthe soil over a period of time.

Colour of film

Soil environment can be managedprecisely by a proper selection of plastic mulchcomposition, colour and thickness. Films areavailable in variety of colours including black,transparent, white, silver, blue red, etc. But theselection of the colour of plastic mulch filmdepends on specific targets. Generally, the

following types of plastic mulch films are usedin horticultural crops.

Black plastic film - Ithelps in conservingmoisture, controllingweed and reducingoutgoing radiation.

Reflective silverfilm- It generallymaintains the root-zone temperature cooler.

Transparent film - It increases the soiltemperature and preferably used forsolarization.

Thickness of film

The thickness of film to be used inmulching is determined by type and age of thehorticultural crop (Table 1).



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Steps (1-4) spreading of polyethylene mulch in Fruits Crops

Use of different colours of polyethylene mulch in vegetable crops

Table 1: Thickness of film

In vegetable crop mulching should be done atthe time of bed preparation but in fruit crops itshould be done before planting of the tree. Incase of establish orchard mulching can be donein the month of October. Replacement of mulchlargely depends on the mulching material.Grass clippings and leaves decompose very fastand need to be replenished frequently. Inorganicmulches such as plastic film, gravel and pebblesrarely need replacement. The mulch requirementdecreases as the plants grow.

Method of Spreading of Film

In a short duration crop, it is best to weedthe area before applying mulch. A layer ofmulching material is spread over the entire bed.Plastic film should be spread and adequatelyfixed at the time of transplanting. The plasticfilm is generally spread around the soil/plantfrom all sides at the time of sowing or implantingof trees or in existing orchards. Newly plantedtrees require a circle of mulch 1 to 1.5 m indiameter. Mulch is kept 10 to 15 cm away fromthe stems of plants. For established trees, a circleof mulch about 0.25 m in diameter is requiredfor every cm of trunk diameter. The size of the

mulched area increases as the tree grows. After

Source: NCPAH, New Delhi

Amount of mulch

The calculation of surface area to becovered is required for determination of mulchquantity. The coverage percentage in shown inTable 2 & with the help of Table 1 & 2 calculate

the square meter of the material required.

Table 2: Surface Coverage

Coverage (%) Crops recommended

20-4040-6050-70100

All creeper cropsOrchard crops (up to 5 year)Orchard crops (more than 5 year)Soil solarization


Time of Mulching

The best time to mulch a crop is just afterplanting as it checks the germination of weeds.

1 2 3 4

Thickness Areacoverage

per kg

Weightper m2

Crop duration

Micron Gauge m2 Gram

Annual crop 25 100 42 23

Biennial crop 50 200 21 46

Perennial crop 100 400 11 93



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Steps (1-4) of spreading of polyethylene mulch in Vegetables Crops

1 2 3 4

covering, it should be properly suppressed withmud to avoid displacement.

Precautions Keep the mulch 10 to 15 cm away from the

trunk of the tree.

Mulch is applied just above the groundlevel.

Pyramid shape mulching should strictlybe avoided.

Advantages of Inorganic Mulch

Moisture conservation

Mulch material forms an insulated layeron soil surface and hinders the entry of sunlight

and solar radiation. The impermeability ofplastic film prevents water loss due toevaporation.

Soil temperature

The fluctuation in soil temperature duringday night is reduced significantly by

application of mulch in basin of the crops.

Black mulches generally result in higherroot-zone temperatures while silver or whitemulches generally maintain cooler root-zonetemperatures. It was observed that stretching ofthe transparent plastic film tightly across themoist soil for 4 weeks resulted in effective soilheating by conduction than by directtransmission of solar radiation.

Soil solarisation

Soil solarisation is done with transparentplastic mulch to prevent the incidence of soilborne disease. Soil moisture and heat retainedduring solarisation kills the harmful soil bornepathogens.

Weed control

Almost all types of film mulch materialsare effective for control of weeds. In general,

Moisture conservation with Black polyethylene mulch

Soil conservation

Mulch protects the fertile top soil againsterosion during rainfall and helps in bindingthe soil particles by plant root system. Use of black polyethylene mulch for weed control



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black plastic mulch is better than other colouredfilms for control of weeds.

Root system

Mulching stimulates the lateral rootgrowth particularly in nutrient rich upper soillayer. The greater lateral spread with enhanceroot growth in the upper layers of soil in mulchedtrees, perhaps due to the presence of highermoisture and comparatively lower soiltemperature at upper surface. Experimentconducted at the CISH on mulching in different

cultivars of mango and vegetables cropsindicated that the area covered by roots inmulched tree was generally more as theunmulched trees. Similarly the growth of roothairs was also more increase in mulched treesresulting enhanced water and nutrientabsorption surface of roots.

The transverse section of secondary rootof mulched and non-mulched tree clearly

showed that conductive tissue (xylem andphloem) appeared more prominent in themulching roots when compared to the control.Opposite to the mulched in non mulched trees,roots just below the surface are often sensitive tothe heat accumulated in the soil from directexposure to sunlight. Exposed soil also dries moreeasily as moisture is drawn out into surroundingdry air. Thus conducive micro environmentdeveloped in mulched conditions might mitigatethe shrinkage of root, resulted development ofmore prominent conductive tissue as in thepresent finding which ultimately providesefficient conducive conditions of root forabsorption and conduction of water and mineralsto the plant during flowering and fruiting.

Physiological parameters

Our studies have shown that mulchingreduces the number of days to bloom, enhancethe gas exchange attributes and increasenutrient use efficiency. The photosyntheticwater use efficiency (WUE) was increased morethan two times in mulched tree as compared to

control. The enhanced WUE, categorically,reveals that tree under mulched used watermore efficiently in mulched tree than the non-mulched tree.

Protection against Diseases/Disorders

Spongy tissue in Alphonso and jelly seedin Dashehari mango can be minimized bymulching. The mulch checks the convecting heatarising from the soil during fruit maturity to

Rooting pattern in (a) non mulch (b) mulched in mango tree

Rooting pattern in (a) non mulch (b) mulched in guava tree

a b

Anatomical structures of the root of mulched

(a) and non-mulched (b) tree of mango

a b

(a) Rooting in control Brinjal (b) Rooting in mulch Brinjal



7


some extent and minimized the disorders. Instrawberry it protects the delicate fruits fromdirect soil contact to avoid infection. Applicationof reflective/ silverside mulches reduces thechance of aphid infection.

Yield

Plastic mulching has tremendous impact

on yield enhancement. Enhancement has been

observed up to 64.24 per cent in fruit crops(Table 3) and 60.74 percent in case of vegetables

crops (Table 4). Orchardist are benefitted by

early production with improved quality which

fetches higher price in the market. The

maximum fruit retention, minimum fruit drop

and high yield in mango by mulching was

attributed largely to improve availability of soil

moisture during fruit growth. The low

abscission in the pedicel is also one of the

important reasons for minimum fruit drop and

maximum fruit yield in mulch tree.

Effect of mulch on absorption of heat in mango Source: NCPAH, New Delhi

Yield (T/Ha)Crop

Unmulched Mulched

Increasein Yield

(%)

Guava 18.36 23.12 25.93

Mango 4.93 7.16 45.23

Papaya 73.24 120.29 64.24

Ber 7.02 8.92 27.06

Pineapple 60.18 80.26 33.37

Pomegranate 10.25 11.75 14.63

Banana 53.99 72.32 33.95

Litchi 111.0 125.0 12.61

Table 3. Increase in yield of fruit crops

Abscission zone in mulched

(a) and non-mulched (b) fruit of mango

Table 4. Increase in yield of vegetable

crops

Yield (T/Ha)Crop Unmulched Unmulched

Yield(T/Ha)

Broccoli 15.64 25.14 60.74Cauliflower 18.58 25.02 34.66

Brinjal 36.73 47.06 28.12

Tomato 69.10 94.85 37.26

Okra 6.91 8.56 23.88

Bitter Gourd 20.12 25.63 27.39

Chilli 16.79 19.71 17.39

Cabbage 14.3 19.9 39.16


Use of polyethylene mulch on fruit crops in yield

enhancement

a b



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Government Interventions

For promoting plastic mulchingGovernment of India has provided the subsidy

of 50 per cent of cost subject to maximum ceiling

of Rs. 7000/- per ha for a maximum of one ha

per beneficiary. However, this intervention has

been adopted only for few high value crops and

need promotion to extend its adoption in large

number of crops. The subsidy is channelised

through State Directorates of Horticulture/Agriculture.

National Committee on PlasticultureApplications in Horticulture (NCPAH) isassisting the GoI in implementing theplasticulture plans. NCPAH is also carrying outresearch on these applications through thePrecision Farming Development Centers(PFDCs) set up in State Agriculture Universities(SAUs) and other institutes all over the country.

Use of polyethylene mulch enhancement in vegetable crops



9


S.No.

Name & Address Contact details

1 Tuflex India(Div. of Parry Enterprises India Ltd.)

201/202, Regent Tower, RacecourseCircle, Vadodara – 390 007

Tel: 0265-2312900/2327239

Fax: 0265-2339352

Email: [email protected]

2 Creative Polymers

2500/18, GIDC, Halol

Dist. Panchamahal, Pin - 389 351

Tel: 0265-2710256Fax: 02676-2710073

Mob: 09825097161, 9825031161


3 Sanhit Polymer

Sriniketan Road, Bolpur, Disrict Birbhum

West Bengal – 731204

Tel: 03463 – 255560, Fax: 03463 – 254215

Mob: 09434014378, ,0923308760,9434014378


4 The Supreme Industries Ltd.

518,Osian Building, Opp. Paras Cienma,

5th Floor, 12, Nehru Place

New Delhi-110019

Tel: 26480696, 26431191, 26416153

26423162/63, 26468445

Fax: 26480699, Mob: 9818600280


5 M/S Shivam Polymers

P.O.Box: 188/13, G.I.D.C, Vaghodia,

Vadodara-391760

Tel: 02668262547(office)

Mob:09925004992, 09998004645

E-mail: [email protected]

6 Arun Manufacturing Services Pvt. Ltd.

B-53, F.F. Complex, Rani Jhansi Road, Jhandewalan, New Delhi-110055

Tel: 011-23551699, 23544555

Mob : 09350107214, Fax : 011-23638587

Email : [email protected]

Website : www.perfilms-tarps-ropes.com

7 Bag Poly Interrnational

G T Road, Opp : Narula Restaurant,

Panipat – 131103,

Haryana

Tel: 0180-2635160, +91-180-263 4546,264 2365

Fax +91-180-264 2065, 264 2646

Mob: +91 98960 76246,E-mail: [email protected]

Web: www.bagpoly.com8 Bohra Agrifilm Ltd.

301, Anand Plaza, University Road

Udaipur – 313001, Rajasthan

Tel: 0294-5101301, Fax : 0294-2420688

Mob: 09469141978, E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.bppl.net.in

9 Creative Plastics,11-Gala Compound Haji Babu Road,Opp. Post Office, Malad (East),

Mumbai-400097

Tel: 022 –28779368, Mob:9821137304

Fax: 022 – 28773464,Email:[email protected]

Website: www.creaplas.com

Mulch Film Processors



10


S.No.

Name & Address Contact details

10 Climax Synthetics Pvt. Ltd.

A-1/ 835 , Gidc, Makarpura

Vadodara -390010, Gujrat(India)

Tel: 0265 -2642836, 2642572, 2642169 (DID),

Fax: 2642169 / 2642572 / 2643362

Mob:09909922073,Email : [email protected]

Website: www.climaxindia.com

11 D P Wires Pvt. Ltd.

16-18 Industrial Estate

Ratlam 457001 (MP)

Tel: 07412-260646, 260554,Fax : 07412-261174

Mob: 98270 31861,9893340304, 9827623278

Email : [email protected]

12 Essen Multipack Ltd.

Survey No. 209, Plot No. 5,

Industrial Area, Veraval (Shapar),

Rajkot, Gujarat-360002

Tel: 02827-252018 / 19,Fax: 02827-252610 Mob: 09879524474


Web: www.essenpoly.com

13 Garware - wall Ropes Ltd.

10/ 66, Kirti Nagar Industrial Area,

New Delhi- 110015

Tel: 011- 25927579,23367, 51424504, 05

Fax: 011-25927441, Mob: 9350026057

Email:[email protected]

Website: www.garwareopes.com

14 Premier Polyfilm Ltd.Works & Office: 40/1A, Site-IV, IndustrialArea, Sahibadad,

Ghaziabad, U.P. India

Tel: +91-120-2896986 / 2896988 /9811113059

Fax: +91-120-2896982 ,Email: [email protected] /[email protected]

Website: www.geomembrance.in

15 Sanhit Polymer

Sriniketan Road, Post BolpurDistrict Birbhum, West Bengal – 731204

Tel: 03463 – 255560, Fax: 03463 – 254215

Mob: 09434014378, 09434009737


16 Shivalik Agro Poly-Products Ltd.

B-45 Phase III, Industrial Area,Sas Nagar - Mohali – 160055

Tel: 0172-2227089, Fax: 0172-2270349

Mob: 09815230932,Email : [email protected]

[email protected]

17 Shivam Polymers

188/13 GIDC Industries, Waghodia,

District Vadodara, Gujarat-391760

Tel: 02668-262547

Mob: 09998004645



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Mulching in Horticultural Crops Bulletin)