Mulching
Also called: Mulch · Topic: Soils of India: Types, Degradation and Conservation · NCERT: Class 7, Ch 1 "The Story of Indian Farming"; Class 8, Ch 1 "Natural Resources and Their Use"
Meaning
Mulching means covering the soil surface with crop leftovers, leaves, straw or plastic sheets. The cover stops water from evaporating, so the soil stays moist. It blocks sunlight, so weeds cannot grow. It keeps the soil from getting too hot or too cold. It also protects the soil from rain splash and wind, which reduces erosion. Organic mulch slowly rots and adds humus.
Example
On the dry plateaus of the Deccan in Maharashtra, farmers spread crop residue between rows to save scarce moisture. Mulching is one of the main conservation methods for plateaus and drylands.
Don't confuse with
- Stubble burning: both deal with crop leftovers. Mulching keeps the residue on the soil and protects it. Burning destroys the residue and lowers soil organic carbon, as happens in Punjab and Haryana.