Will our learned n knowledgeable experts and seniors give more first hand info on the multitude of mulching benefits.
Google search(TNAU website) has revealed that it is very helpful for trees to promote micro organisms, control temp, prevent loss of top soil, prevents crust formation, keeps soil loose thereby aiding aeration,prevents loss of soil moisture.
Mulched trees give better yeild, roots are wide spread and stronger,feeding roots very active.
Biggest benefit is prevents weeding, thereby preventing theft of fertilizer applied, resulting in well nourished trees.
What is better, Organic or Inorganic mulch? Hav made arrangements for both, samples of weed mat placed undr a few trees, one foot away from stem.
Mulcher chipper shredder being ordered shortly.
Members kindly guide and advise if i am going wrong somewhere.
I am a recent convert to horti/agriculture-In short a NOVICE, but eager,willing and happy to learn.
Any members opted for mulching?
Out of four wheels of ZBSF, mulching is also plays important role. 1. Mrudhaachadhana (Soil Mulching, cultivation of soil) 2.Kashtakshaadhana (Straw Mulching) & 3.Sajeevachaadhana (Live Mulching).
1. MRUDHAACHAADHANA (Soil Mulching, cultivation of soil)
Why to cultivate soil?
Reason 1.To provide Air, There are microorganisms residing in soil for which oxygen is required, even for roots also. If air is not supplied to soil, all microorganisms will die without oxygen. How deep should flow the soil? 4.5 inch to soil is contains maximum microorganisms and roots residing, 90% micro roots are residing. Therefore plug soil only up to the depth of 4.5” soil. This 4.5” soil is creator & storage of humus and aerobic bacteria existed to create humus, they cannot live without oxygen, if plugging is deeply flowed, then all these bacteria will destroy. Anaerobic bacteria live below 4.5” soil. Do not plug soil with Tractor.
2. KAASHTACHAADHANA/STRAW MULCHING is cancelled due to shortage of time.
All starw meterials are ustilized as dry mulching available either in your land or any other place, it will be very useful to maintain dearest climate conditions in the orchards through dry/straw mulching too.
3. SAJEEVAACHAADHANA/LIVE MULCHING through inter crops and combined crops
Plant body required nitrogen therefore combines all legumes crops to fix nitrogen in plant body, green gram 60 days, black gram 90
Drumstick & Gliricedia perennial, dypod in to mono pod crops to fix nitrogen. Any legume crop under horticulture plantation is enough to fix nitrogen. Stoping water in paddy filed will not allow air to enter in to roots through water; hence Glomus fungus residing near paddy plant roots, collect oxygen from atmosphere, and provide it in to plant roots.