Present a brief note on the types of mulches and their role in soil moisture conservation.
Mulching involves covering the soil surface with organic or inorganic materials to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and moderate soil temperature.
Types of mulches:
Organic mulches: Crop residues, straw, leaves, sawdust, and green manures. These decompose, adding organic matter and nutrients.
Inorganic mulches: Plastic films, polythene sheets, and gravel. They are durable and effective in moisture conservation.
Living mulches: Cover crops like cowpea or clover that protect the soil while enriching fertility.
Role in soil moisture conservation:
Reduce evaporation losses by shielding soil from direct sun and wind.
Improve infiltration and minimize runoff.
Maintain favorable soil temperature for root activity.
Suppress weeds that compete for water.
Enhance microbial activity under organic mulches.
Mulching is thus a vital practice in rainfed and horticultural systems.
Answered By:
Sakshi Negi
Sakshi Negi is a Delhi-based journalist and content specialist with expertise in educational content and digital media, focusing particularly on government exam preparation and career guidance. With a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from NRAI School of Mass Communication and her background as a Kendriya Vidyalaya alumna, she brings unique insights into the Indian education system and government sector opportunities.
Similar Questions
Differentiate between cropping system and cropping pattern, and describe the principles of cropping system.
Differentiate between agrisilviculture and agrisilvipasture system. Give suitable examples of component crops.
Classify natural resources. Discuss the natural resource management with reference to ecological conservation.
Enumerate the impact of climate change with reference to agricultural production. Present the opinion of public on climate change.
List out the cereal- and millet-based cropping systems practised in India based on soil type and irrigation availability.
Elucidate different forest policies and their aims.
Write a brief note on the major soils of India.
Explain weed control efficiency (WCE). Work out WCE from the given data and offer your critical comment :
Write down the agronomic measures for climate-resilient crop production in rainfed areas.
Explain weed seed bank. Describe the strategies to reduce weed seeds in soil.
Important Questions from Miscellaneous
Write a note in 150 words
Mendelian and non-Mendelian traits.Write a note in 150 words
Theoretical significance of Purum kinship-system.Write a note in 150 words
Smell as a signal among non-human primates.Write a note in 150 words
Osteodontokeratik culture and its makers.Discuss the Miocene hominoid remains and their significance in evolution.
