This book provides insights into recent developments in the use of mulching in agroecosystems with emphasis on the major pros and cons. Increase in human population, climatic changes and agricultural intensification have put enormous pressure on soil and water resources. As a result, we are confronted with challenges to enhance nutrient and water use efficiencies and conserve soil organic matter without compromising crop yields and food security. Increasing the soil organic matter (SOM) via residue return increased nutrient availability and soil physical and biological properties. Management practices, such as straw mulching or incorporation, have significant effects on soil health. Straw addition also increases functionality related to carbon and N metabolism via increasing the microbes and thus greatly contributes to CO2 and N2O emissions. However, the co-use of organic and inorganic fertilizer reduces the N2O emission without compromising crop yield. Mulching has long been advocated to conserve soil moisture and increase the efficiency of macro- and micro-nutrients by improving soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. These effects of mulch are translated into better crop yields while improving soil health and quality in the long run. Therefore, the use of mulching techniques is on the rise in organic as well as conventional agriculture. The book is of great interest for researchers, academics, agriculture extensionists, soil and plant scientist, fertilizer industry, farmers, agro-industrial workers, farm managers, NGOs, and climate and civil society activists.
Author(s): Kashif Akhtar, Muhammad Arif, Muhammad Riaz, Haiyan Wang
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 397
City: Singapore
Contents
Soil Section
Effect of Mulches on Mineral Fertilizer (N, P & K) Management and Fertilizer Use Efficiency
1 Introduction
2 Mineral Fertilizers and Problems Occurring with Mineral Fertilizers
3 Reasons for Low Fertilizer Use Efficiencies
4 Ways to Improve Fertilizer Use Efficiencies
5 Importance of Mulching
6 Importance of Mulching on Fertilizer Dynamics
6.1 Soil Fertility Improvement
6.2 Lowering the Soil pH
7 Mulching and Fertilizer Use Efficiencies
8 Conclusion and Remarks
References
Effects of Mulching on Soil Biota and Biological Indicators of Soil Quality
1 Introduction
1.1 Importance of Soil Biota for Soil Health
1.2 Soil Biota Components
2 Mulching and Soil Health Management
2.1 Organic Mulch
2.2 Inorganic Mulch
3 Mulches for Enhancing Biological Activities in Soil
4 Indices of Soil Biota
4.1 Soil Respiration
4.2 Enzymatic Activity
4.3 Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen
4.4 Microbial Biomass Carbon (MBC)
4.5 Species Diversity
4.6 Soil Microbial Metabolic Quotient(qCO2)
5 Conclusions
References
Mulches Effects on Soil Physical Properties i.e. Porosity, Aggregate Stability, Infiltration Rates, Bulk Density, Compaction
1 Introduction
2 Porosity, Pore Volume, Void Ratio
3 Aggregate Stability
4 Soil Moisture
5 Infiltration, Interception and Evaporation
6 Bulk Density
7 Penetration Resistance
8 Soil Erosion and Runoff
9 Conclusion
References
Mulching is an Approach for a Significant Decrease in Soil Erosion
1 Introduction
2 Mulching
2.1 Advantages and Disadvantages of Mulching
2.2 Types of Mulching
2.3 Impacts of Mulch on Harvest and Weed Development
2.4 Soil Erosion
2.5 Mulching to Control Soil Erosion
3 Conclusion
References
Response of Mulching and Tillage Practices on Soil Management
1 Introduction
2 Significance of Mulching and Tillage Practices Effects on Soil Properties
2.1 Soil Temperature
2.2 Soil Erosion Risk
2.3 Bulk Density and Porosity
2.4 Infiltration Rate
2.5 Soil Organic Carbon
2.6 Microbial Biomass
2.7 Nutrients Availability
2.8 Moisture Content
3 Economic Analysis
4 Conclusions
References
Response of Mulching on Soil Physical and Biochemical Properties and Functions
1 Introduction
2 Types of Mulches and Materials
3 Effects on Soil Physical Properties
3.1 Soil Structure
3.2 Soil Porosity
3.3 Soil Temperature
3.4 Soil Moisture
4 Mulching Effect on Soil Chemical Properties
4.1 Total Organic Carbon
4.2 Soil Nutrition Status
5 Mulching and Soil Biodiversity
5.1 Soil Microfauna
5.2 Soil Macrofauna
6 Conclusion
References
Plant Section
Mechanistic Insights into Mulching and Plant Physiological Attributes Under Abiotic Stresses
1 Introduction
2 Role of Mulching in Plant Growth Regulation
3 Role of Mulching in Plant Quality and Yield
4 Mulching and Abiotic Stresses
4.1 Mitigation of Drought Stress Through Mulches
4.2 Role of Mulches in Mitigation of Salt Stress
4.3 Remediation of Heavy Metals by Using Muclhes
4.4 Mitigation of Temperature Stress Using Different Mulches
4.5 Nutrients Nourishment and Mulches
5 Conclusion and Future Prospects
References
Living Mulches for Sustainable Pest Management
1 Introduction
2 Uses of Living Mulches in Biological Pest Management
3 Living Mulching Problems
3.1 Insect Pest Infestation
3.2 Weed Infestation
3.3 Disease Transmission
3.4 Bird Infestations
4 Conclusion
References
Effects of Mulching Practices on the Management of Weeds
1 Introduction
2 Pros and Cons of Mulches for the Management Weeds
3 Types of Mulches Used for the Management Weeds and Diseases
3.1 Organic Mulch
4 Different Types of the Organic Mulches
5 Types of Inorganic Mulches
6 Instances Where Mulches Worsened the Practice of Weeds Management
7 Conclusion and Recommendations
References
Agronomic and Economic Valuation of Mulches
1 Contribution of Mulching in Economic Return
1.1 Economic Benefit of Mulching Through Weed Control
1.2 Economic Benefit of Mulching Through Water Conservation
1.3 Economic Benefit of Mulching Through Soil Health Improvement
2 Factors Affecting Mulch Based Economic Return of a Crop
2.1 Amount of Irrigation
2.2 Time of Mulching
2.3 Crop Type
2.4 Mulch Type
3 Mulching in Economics of Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) Cultivation; A Special Case
4 Conclusion
References
Mulching and Nutrients Use Efficiencies in Plant
1 Background
2 Importance of Nutrition for Plants
3 Problems Regarding Plant Nutrition
4 Losses of Macronutrients
5 Losses of Micronutrients
6 Strategies for Improving Nutrient Use Efficiencies
6.1 Crop Variety/Species
6.2 Rate and Time of Fertilizer Application
7 Mulching and Its Importance in Plant Nutrition
7.1 Decline of Weeds
7.2 Soil Moisture Conservation
8 Role of Mulching to Reduce Nutrient Losses
8.1 Minimizing Soil Compaction and Erosion
8.2 Soil Temperature Regulation
9 Influence of Mulching on Nutrient Use Efficiencies
10 Conclusion and Further Directions
References
Mulching and Micronutrient Synergisms for Sustainable Crop Production
1 Introduction
2 Types of Mulches
2.1 Organic Mulches
2.2 Non-biodegradable Film Mulches
2.3 Sustainable Soil Health Management
2.4 Soil Fertility Management
2.5 Mulch Impact on Soil Health
2.6 Use of Organic Mulch
3 Effect of Mulching on Crop Diseases
3.1 Organic Mulches
3.2 Mulching and Micronutrient Synergisms
4 Effects of Mulching and Nitrogen Fertilizer on WUE, NUE and Grain Yield
4.1 Water Use Efficiency
4.2 Nitrogen Use Efficiency
4.3 Grain Yield
5 Suggestions for Future Research
5.1 Mulching Technologies in Combination with Fertilization
5.2 Legume Mulching and Precise Fertilization
5.3 The Combination of Fertilizer Application and Ridge-Furrow Mulching
5.4 Mechanisms of Nitrogen Use Efficiency Enhancement
5.5 Sustainable Soil Health Management
6 Conclusion
References
Implications of Mulching on Weed Management in Crops and Vegetable
1 Introduction
1.1 Mulches Definition and Concepts
1.2 Plastic Mulch Application and Response of Soil
1.3 Concept of Biodegradable Mulches
1.4 Global Crop Production Interests and an Integrated Concept of Weed Management
1.5 Cover Crops as an Instrumental Mulching
1.6 Control of Direct and Indirect Weeds Through Mulches
1.7 Impact of Plastic Mulches on Weed Control and Soil Resources
1.8 Mechanism of Integrated Weed Management (IWM)
1.9 Mulches and Allelopathy
2 Conclusion
References
Effects of Mulching on Crop Growth, Productivity and Yield
1 Introduction
2 Factors Affecting Plant Growth and Yield
3 Role of Mulching in Reducing Stress Factors
3.1 Temperature
3.2 Water
3.3 Nutrients
4 Role of Mulching in the Improvement of Plant and Soil Health
5 Role of Mulching in the Improvement of Plant Nutrition
6 Impact of Mulching on Plant Growth Mechanisms
7 Mulching and Water Productivity
8 Influence of Mulching on Crop Productivity and Yield
8.1 Mulching for Vegetable Crops
8.2 Mulching for Orchards
8.3 Effect of Mulching on the Production of Cereal Crops
9 Conclusion and Remarks
References
Comparative Effects of Living and Non-living Mulches on Insect Pest Management in Agroecosystems
1 Introduction
2 Mulching for Insect Pest Management
3 Types of Mulches Used to Manage Insect Populations
4 Instances of Pest Suppression in Living Mulches
5 Instances of Pest Suppression in Non-living Mulches
6 Instances of Mulching Increased Insect Herbivory and Crop Losses
7 Mulching Supports Insect Pollinators
8 Mulching May also Suppress Weeds Emergence and Decrease Herbicides Application
9 Conclusion
References
Environment Section
Mulching Effects on Soil Greenhouse Gas Emission in Agricultural Systems
1 Introduction
2 Mulching in Dryland and Rice Paddies Cropping Systems
3 Mulching Effects on Soil CO2 Emissions
3.1 Atmospheric CO2 Cycling Through the Agricultural Crop Production System
3.2 Effects of Crop Straw Mulch on Soil CO2 Emission
3.3 Effects of Plastic Film Mulch on CO2 Emissions
4 Effects of Mulching on Soil CH4 Emission or Uptake
4.1 The Mechanism Behind the Soil CH4 Emissions or Uptake
4.2 Mulching Effects on CH4 Emission in Dryland Cropping Systems
4.3 Mulching Effects on CH4 Emission in Rice-Based Systems
5 Effects of Mulching on N2O Emission
5.1 Soil N2O Emission in the Agriculture System
5.2 Mulching Effects on Soil N2O Emission in Dryland Cultivation Systems
5.3 Mulching Effects on Soil N2O Emission in Rice-Based Systems
6 Combined Effects of Agricultural Soil Surface Mulching with Other Agricultural Management on GHGs Emissions
6.1 Mulching with Tillage
6.2 Mulching with Fertilization
6.3 Mulching with Irrigation
7 Conclusion and Future Perspectives
References
Mulching: A New Concept for Climate Smart Agriculture
1 Introduction
2 Mulching: An Advance Tool in Climate Change
2.1 Potential Effects (Adoption of Sustainable Land Management Practices)
3 Role of Climate Smart Practices in Conservation Agriculture
3.1 Improvement of Crop Yield and Productivity
3.2 Adoption to Climate Related Stresses
3.3 Water Infiltration
3.4 Soil Moisture Conservation
3.5 Regulation of Cropping Season and High Density Plantation (Labor Savings and Early Planting)
3.6 Carbon Sequestrations
4 Crop Residue Management
4.1 Soil Organic Matter
4.2 Soil Nutrients (Status and Its Availability)
4.3 Soil Productivity
4.4 Improving Activities of Microorganism in Soil
4.5 Reduce Soil Degradation
5 Conclusions
References
Mulches and Microplastic Pollution in the Agroecosystem
1 Introduction
2 Occurrence and Sources of Microplastics in Agroecosystem
3 The Distribution and Migration Behavior of Microplastics Pollutants in Soils
4 The Response of Soil Properties to Microplastic
4.1 Soil Structure and Water Transport
4.2 Soil Fertility and MPs
4.3 Soil Microbes and MPs
5 Fate of Microplastic Pollution
6 Mitigation Strategies to Prevent Microplastic Pollution
7 Conclusions and Recommendations
References
Organic and Synthetic Mulching: Effects on Soil-Plant Productivity and Environment
1 Introduction
2 Mulching and Its Classification
2.1 Organic Mulches
2.2 Inorganic/Synthetic Mulches
3 Mulching and Soil
3.1 Soil Moisture
3.2 Soil Micro-climate
3.3 Minerals Availability
4 Mulching and Plant Productivity
4.1 Mulches and Crops Production
5 Mulching and Agro-Forestry
6 Mulching and Environment
6.1 Mulches and Greenhouse Gases
7 Mulches and Pollution
7.1 Air Pollution
8 Pros and Cons of Mulching
8.1 Advantages of Mulching
8.2 Disadvantages of Mulching
9 Conclusion
References
Mulching is a Mechanism to Reduce Environmental Stresses in Plants
1 Introduction
2 Impact of Mulching on Environmental Conditions
2.1 Light Conditions
2.2 Thermal Conditions
2.3 Physical and Chemical Properties of the Soil
3 Weed, Pest and Disease Management
4 Allelopathy in Mulching
5 Role of Mulching in Improving Growth Yield and Quality of Crops
6 Significance of Mulching in Constructing a Healthy Environment
6.1 Mitigation of Drought Impacts
6.2 Management of Soil Salinity and Sodicity Dynamics
6.3 Alleviation of Heavy Metals
6.4 Reduction of Pesticide Uses
6.5 Visual Enhancement
7 Economic Comparisons of Crops Under Mulching and Without Mulching
8 Conclusion
References
Role of Agricultural Soil Mulching on Net Global Warming Potential and Greenhouse Gas Intensity of Different Cropping Systems
1 Introduction
2 Methods to Estimate Global Warming Potential (GWP), Yield Scale GWP, Net Global Warming Potential (NGWP), and Greenhouse Gas Intensity (GHGI)
2.1 Global Warming Potential (GWP) of GHGs and Yield Scale GWP
2.2 Net Global Warming Potential (NGWP) and GHGI
3 Effects of Agricultural Surface Mulching on GWP and Yield Scale GWP
3.1 Effects of Crop Residue Mulching
3.2 Effects of Plastic Film Mulching
4 Role of Mulching on NGWP and GHGI in Different Agricultural Systems
4.1 Agricultural Surface Mulching-driven Changes in Agronomic Inputs and Farm Operations Could Alter Indirect GHG Emissions
4.2 Agricultural Soil Surface-driven Changes in SOC (∆SOC.)
4.3 Agricultural Soil Surface Mulching and Crop Yield
5 Effects of Agricultural Soil Mulching on NGWP and GHGI Under Different Cultivation Systems
5.1 Conventional Agricultural Farming Systems
5.2 Surface Mulching Along with a No-Tillage Approach
5.3 Ridge & Furrow Cultivation System
5.4 Rice-Based Cropping System
6 Conclusion and Future Perspectives
References
