Evaluation of different mulch materials for reducing soil surface evaporation in semi‐arid region

Abstract

In recent years, the use of new mulches for soil water conservation in arid regions has been introduced as an alternative to conventional (plastic) mulches. However, systematic studies concerning the effects of different organic [pistachio shell mulch (PSM), wheat straw mulch, de-oiled olive pomace mulch (DOM) or wood chips mulch], chemical [superabsorbent polymer (HM) or organicbased emulsion polymer (PEM)] and mineral [gravel mulch (GM)] covers on soil and water conservation are scarce. Therefore, two experiments were carried out. Experiment 1 was aimed at evaluating the effects of mulches of different composition on soil surface evaporation, whereas in experiment 2 we investigated the effects of this decrease in soil evaporation due to different mulch materials on some olive tree physiological responses to soil drying. We analysed stem water potential, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, leaf density and maximum efficiency of photosystem II photochemistry (Fv/Fm) of 2-yr-old plants of 'Konservalia' olive, grown in pots in open field. The results showed that different mulch materials had different efficiency on soil water conservation and DOM and pistachio shell mulch PSM -as new mulch materials -seems more favourable for conserving soil water. Water stress caused reductions in all parameters measured and increment in leaf density compared with unstressed treatment. Olive plants grown using different soil mulch presented higher values of stem water potential, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance and Fv/Fm ratio compared to control plants. Although all the mulch treatments improved the water content of soil, DOM and PSM were found to be superior in maintaining optimum soil water content for olive use.

Influence of Coal Gangue Mulching With Various Thicknesses and Particle Sizes on Soil Water Characteristics

“…In arid areas, mulching can effectively reduce evaporation and improve water content [54,17]. Similar to previous study results, the present results indicate that mulching treatments involve less cumulative evaporation than that in the case of the CK (Fig.…”

Effects of Superhydrophobic Sand Mulching on Evapotranspiration and Phenotypic Responses in Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) under Normal and Reduced Irrigation

“…Notably, evaporation is a wasteful component of ET and should be minimized. Mulching, i.e., applying a vapor diffusion barrier on the topsoil to curtail water evaporation, has been proven to enhance soil moisture content and provide enhanced transpiration (Moitra, 1996, Zhang et al, 2018, Farzi et al, 2017), plant biomass, and yields (Ramalan, 2000, Zhang, 2017a, Mukherjee, 2010). Mulching has been demonstrated to enhance leaf chlorophyll content (Wang et al, 2015), photosynthesis (Niu et al, 2020, Zhang et al, 2019), and TE (Balwinder-Singh et al, 2011), as well as improve plant root growth and roots’ architectural and anatomical properties, such as root diameter and late xylem vessel diameter, which improves water and nutrient uptake from the soil (Zhan et al, 2019, Larsson and Jensen, 1996).…”

Influence of coal gangue mulching with various thicknesses and particle sizes on soil water characteristics

“…In arid areas, mulching can effectively reduce evaporation and improve water content 14 , 54 . Similar to previous study results, the present results indicate that mulching treatments involve less cumulative evaporation than that in the case of the CK (Fig.…”