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The effect of mulch upon soil moisture content is complex. Mulch forms a layer between the soil and the atmosphere reducing evaporation. [11] However, mulch can also prevent water from reaching the soil by absorbing or blocking water from light rains and overly thick layers of mulch can reduce oxygen in the soil. [12]
Sheet mulch has important advantages relative to conventional methods, such as tilling, plowing or applying herbicides: Improvement of desirable plants' health and productivity. [1] Retention of water and nutrients and stabilization of biochemical cycles. [1] Improvement of soil structure, soil life, and prevention of soil erosion. [1] [7]
In agriculture, a living mulch is a cover crop interplanted or undersown with a main crop, and intended to serve the purposes of a mulch, such as weed suppression and regulation of soil temperature. Living mulches grow for a long time with the main crops, whereas cover crops are incorporated into the soil or killed with herbicides.
Time-lapse of Tigercat mulcher clearing brush. Forestry mulching is a land clearing method that uses a single machine to cut, grind, and clear vegetation.. A forestry mulching machine, also referred to as a forestry mulcher, forest masticator, or brushcutter, uses a rotary drum equipped with steel chipper tools ("teeth") or blades to shred vegetation. [1]
In agriculture, mulch tillage (or mulch-till) is a seeding method where a hundred percent of the soil surface is disturbed by tillage, [1] crop residues are mixed with the soil and a certain amount of residues remain on the soil surface. A great variety of cultivator implements are used to perform mulch-till.
At worst, it leads to soil contamination (see Environmental Impact and Safety Testing) Some recycled varieties may leach chemicals (some toxic) which are harmful to plants [3] [4] [5] Rubber mulch is a particular hazard if ignited because of the resulting fumes that resemble those produced in tire fires.
Blueberry plants growing through plastic mulch. Plastic mulch is a product used in plasticulture in a similar fashion to mulch, to suppress weeds and conserve water in crop production and landscaping. Certain plastic mulches also act as a barrier to keep methyl bromide, both a powerful fumigant and ozone depleter, in the soil. Crops grow ...
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