Crop residues like straw, cotton stalks, leaves, saw dust, pine needles, coir dust and other materials like polythene films or certain special kinds of paper are spread in the tree basins and in inter spaces between trees to conserve soil moisture and to control the weed growth. Mulching keeps the soil cool in day; warm at night hours, reduces surface run-off, adds humus to the soil and prevents soil erosion. Fruits are protected and kept clean since they fall on the mulches. It allows the absorption of more rain water and reduces irrigation frequency. However, dry materials used as mulches encourage the risk of fire and consequent damage to trees. Thick mulches may act as places for mice and rodents to live and multiply causing damage to tree trunks and roots by eating the bark and burrowing. The mulching materials should be placed too close to the tree trunk and it should be spread in such a way that they give a good cover to the root system of the trees.
How mulching is done in orange cultivation?
