Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
The effect of bentonite clay was similar to that of peat. It increased the crop yields by the
average of 21.2% compared with the control during the five years of observation. The action
of this mulch material also lasted all five years of observation without significant variations
(except for the third extremely dry growing season).
Mulching with straw increased crop yields by 16.5% on average during the five years. Its
effect, including the effect on this indicator, did not last more than two or three years, so
straw was applied twice during the five-year observation period. It should be noted that
despite the mulch material had to be applied twice, its application was most cost-effective.
This was due to a number of reasons. First, along with being an effective mulch material,
straw was a good organic fertilizer.
When applied appropriately with NPK, it was as effective as the appropriate amount of
manure (Shikula et al., 1991). Second, leaving straw on the field makes a number of
production processes unnecessary, which reduces the time spent by 20.5%, the fuel
consumption by 47.5%, and the labor costs by 40.3 % on average (Klokov, 1984;
Romanenko, 2007; Klocke et al., 2009). The use of straw as a mulch material reduces labor
costs about by 10 times compared with the cycle of preparation and application of manure,
plus it prevents the loss of organic matter (Lomakin, 1991).
The crop that was most responsive to mulching was barley. The least responsive was
winter rye, as it has a well-developed root system and is less dependent on soil fertility and
the content of productive moisture.
Mulching had the greatest impact on crop yields in dry growing seasons, especially in
soil drought.
C ONCLUSION
All mulch materials selected for the study had a comprehensive positive effect on the
soil. In most cases they produced the following effects in the plow horizon: the acidity
decreased while there was an increase in the amount of exchangeable bases, the content of
organic matter and mineral nutrients, and the amount of available moisture. The greatest
influence on the soil physical and chemical properties of the soil was exerted by limestone
powder used as mulch, and the greatest influence on the soil chemical and water properties
was exerted by peat used as mulch.
Mixing ameliorants (including organic fertilizers) with the soil layer of 0-5 cm
significantly improved their efficiency as they acted as mulch and ameliorants (fertilizers) at
the same time.
Shallow application of ameliorants (organic fertilizers) allows for the necessary
agricultural activities while maintaining the mulch layer during the crop rotation, which
significantly extends the scope of mulching in arable farming.
Formation of the mulch layer increased crop yields by 10-40% compared with the
control. Peat and bentonite clay had the greatest effect on this important agronomic indicator.
Straw was the most cost-effective mulch material, despite the shortest period of action (not
more than two or three years).
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