Mulching

The mulching is an exceptional in importance and degree of beneficial effect on the soil by agrotechnical measures. Mulching is understood as covering the soil surface with various organic-

materials. In nature, the uncovered state of the soil is anomalous, since in all natural zones( forest, field, meadow, steppe, etc.) the soil overgrows the vegetation characteristic of this zone, which, in autumn, forms a vegetative cover by autumn. Therefore, mulching the soil on the garden plot, we only return it to the natural state. Mulching has a complex beneficial effect on soil, part of which is fertilization and improvement of soil structure. The mechanism of this process is based on the phenomenon of humification of organic materials used for mulching. Immediately after covering the soil with the mulching material, its layerwise decomposition begins, with the top layer acting as a protective layer, assuming all external environmental influences and maintaining the structure of the mixed mass of the mate . Comparable analysis of the mulched and non-mulched soil surface

1. Mulching cover protects the soilfrom overheating and hard penetration of solar radiation, while moisture evaporates slightly, which allows you to maintain a constant waterth balance in the soil. All these conditions stimulate the vital activity of soil microorganisms, which in turn contribute to the decomposition of the organic material of the mulching cover and supply the soil with nutrients. This improves the quality of the soil and contributes to the creation of its cloddy structure.

2. The absence of a mulching cover makes the soil vulnerable to the action of hard sunlight, evaporation of moisture increases, there is a danger of drying, which significantly inhibits the development of plants. The lack of balanced hydration and changes in daytime and nighttime temperatures adversely affect the life of the soil microfauna. The supply of soil, plant roots and microorganisms with oxygen is hampered by the formation of a dense crust on the soil surface. The so-called "concrete" soil is the result of erosion of clay soil particles by precipitation, which, when dried in direct sunlight, swims and solidifies as a dense shell.

Advantages of mulching with organic materials

Mulching cover protects the soil against natural erosion. The physical effect of the wind causes the drying of the soil, the weathering of mineral components, the formation of cracks and dry crust on the soil surface. The sun's rays cause excessive heating of the soil, the accumulation of solar radiation, the drying out of its upper layer and the formation of a crust. Rain cleanses the particles of the surface, the most fertile layer of soil, breaks its integrity, prolonged rain on heavy soils can cause stagnant phenomena. Mulching cover can significantly reduce or even eliminate the harmful effects of these natural phenomena.

The protective cover provides uniform moistening of the soil and maintains a constant water balance due to a significant reduction in moisture evaporation from the soil surface.

Air cushion, created between the soil and mulching cover, maintains the temperature balance of the soil, preventing it from overheating or, conversely, the effects of frosts, which positively affects the development of soil microflora. In addition, this layer softens the differences in daytime and nighttime temperatures.

Due to the constant mulching of the soil surface, it is possible to reduce the amount of fertilizers applied, since in the presence of a mulching layer, their washing is significantly reduced.

rial. The top layer of mulch, thus, decomposes slightly. On the contrary, the lower layer of mulch has a direct contact with the soil, the temperature rises, the vital activity of soil microorganisms becomes active, and the decomposition begins. Gradually, the active decay also spreads to the upper layers of the mulch, the signs of which are emerging hollow spaces and loose structure. Thus, thanks to the activity of microorganisms, it becomes possible to convert organic substances into a mineral form available for plant nutrition, the soil is enriched with nutrients and humified decay products of the mulching layer. Although mainly mulching with organic materials is being discussed, it should also be noted that the covering of the soil with special mulching films has also proved to be quite successful in practice. The black lightproof mulch film significantly suppresses the growth of weeds due to limited access to light, accelerates the heating of the soil with sunlight, protects the

P The mulching layer creates very favorable conditions for the life of soil microorganisms, which activates the decomposition of the organic material of the mulching cover, accelerates the mineralization of nutrients,improves the absorption of nutrients by plants.

Decomposition of organic mulch material occurs directly on the soil, therefore valuable intermediate products of decomposition are not lost: carbon dioxide, biocatalysts, inhibitors, which also has a favorable effect on the biological activity of the soil.

The soil, due to the decomposition of the mulching material, always has a soft, dosed feed of nutrients.

The soil covered with organic materials quickly heats up in the spring.

** The soil covered with organic materials is much less cracks and compacts and is therefore in a state of technological readiness.

Mulching cover makes it unnecessary to periodically loosen the soil, since the roots of plants are already well supplied with oxygen due to the lack of soil compaction. This avoids mechanical damage to the delicate surface rootlets of crops, which is inevitable when loosening.

- The mulching cover inhibits the growth and development of weeds and facilitates the removal process that has already grown, which reduces the competition caused by weeds for water and nutrients.

soil from night cooling, especially during the cool spring nights. In addition, the black mulching film has a high capacity for moisture accumulation. Water rising from the soil thickness through thin capillaries does not evaporate from the soil surface but condenses on the film and remains access. Mulching in regulating the thermal regime of the soil

The soil color largely depends on its ability to absorb and retain solar heat, therefore, changing the color of the surfacesoil, it is possible to regulate its thermal properties. Mulching plays an important role in regulating the thermal regime of the soil. Dark mulch, applied to the surface of the soil, attracts the sun's rays, and quickly absorbs heat, which contributes to a good warming of the soil, rapid melting of snow in the spring. Light mulch, on the contrary, increases the ability of the soil surface to reflect the sun's rays, which prevents overheating of the soil under the mulching cover, and thus protects the roots of plants from the effects of undesirable high temperatures.

The mulching layer protects the soil from breaking when the rain drops. Uncovered soil dries up in the sun and becomes brittle, because due to the evaporation of moisture its solid particles remain unbonded between the

itself. Large drops of rain, reaching a diameter of 7 mm, hit the ground at a speed of 8 m / s, breaking the soil, disrupting the integrity of the upper soil layer and leaving the grooves

. The soil covering with the mulching layer has many advantages: the soil heating is accelerated and evaporation of moisture. Water flows down the rails of the mulching cover and seeps to the roots of the

plants in the soil. When the soil gets directly to the depth of root placement, there is no danger of rapid washing out of nutrients, and the constant soil moisture stimulates the development of soil microorganisms

to the plant roots. Thus, there is a closed circulation of moisture practically without loss of evaporation. If the film is spread on the soil in the spring in advance, the soil moisture accumulated with melting snow can be used for a long time. A good effect is covered with a black mulching film of tree trunks of fruit trees and shrubs. As practice has shown, if done soon after planting, the plant survival rate increases. Covering the stump circle with a film is especially important for fruit trees with closely spaced roots( plum, cherry), this creates a favorable climate in the upper layer of the soil and supplies small suction roots with moisture. In damp and cold weather during the formation of fruits in strawberries, the use of a black film will help reduce its affection by fungal diseases, and the young salad will protect against salad rots. Mulching with organic materials in comparison with a film has a number of differences and undeniable advantages, especially in conditions of ecological management of an economy.

Studies show that after a few years of mulching, the volume of soil pores filled with water and air increases significantly, which means that its air and water permeability, which are one of the main indicators of soil health, improves.