006 MULCH FOR SOIL HEALTH Soil moisture is important for plant growth and normal metabolic activity. Evaporation is a process by which water in soil enters into the atmosphere and makes the soil dry. Mulching is a process by which plant residues are spread in between plant rows to avoid direct hitting of sun light and thereby slows down the evaporation and soil retains moisture for a longer time. MATERIALS REQUIRED e 1m X 1m plots in the school garden. er and decomposed leaves as mulch. sparent polythene sheet (1m X 1m). s or saplings. r. mulch polythene sheet
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
006 MULCH FOR SOIL HEALTH
Soil moisture is important for plant growth and normal metabolic activity.
Evaporation is a process by which water in soil enters into the
atmosphere and makes the soil dry. Mulching is a process by which plant
residues are spread in between plant rows to avoid direct hitting of sun
light and thereby slows down the evaporation and soil retains moisture for
a longer time.
MATERIALS REQUIRED
Three 1m X 1m plots in the school garden.
Litter and decomposed leaves as mulch.
Transparent polythene sheet (1m X 1m).
Seeds or saplings.
Water.
mulch polythene sheet
In the school garden in Plot A do normal gardening. In Plot B cover it with
mulch (organic matter) and in Plot C cover it with a transparent polythene
sheet. Observe the moisture content of the soil everyday as well as
observe activity of soil organisms in the 3 plots.
mulch polythene sheet
Note down the difference in moisture content of open and mulched field.
Polythene sheets are today recommended as mulch. Observe the difference
between Plots B & C with reference to soil organisms. Did you observe