Vertical Mulching
K. Nagarajan
Dept. of Soil & Water Conservation Engineering, AEC&RI, TNAU, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu (641 003), India
Balajikannan
Dept. of Soil & Water Conservation Engineering, AEC&RI, TNAU, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu (641 003), India
A. Selvaperumal
Dept. of Soil & Water Conservation Engineering, AEC&RI, TNAU, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu (641 003), India
G. Thiyagarajan*
Forest College and Research Institute, TNAU, Mettupalayam, Tamil Nadu (641 301), India
M. Angaleeswari
Dept. of Soil & Water Conservation Engineering, AEC&RI, TNAU, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu (641 003), India
DOI: NIL
Keywords: Mulching, Organic content, Soil compaction, VAM
Abstract
Mulch is a layer of material applied to the surface of an area of soil. Mulch prevents rain from hitting the soil directly, reducing the impact of the water drops. Water soaks into the soil gradually instead washing the soil away. Vertical mulching is a technique used to assist in alleviating soil compaction within critical root zones of trees. It reduces damage from excessive water by allowing necessary aeration during wet periods and sub-soil water penetration during dry periods. The technique also aids greatly in promoting the formation of fine feeder roots. It is a time tested method of overcoming the stress trees face in unnatural environments that we force trees to grow under, which creates cores of rich "top soil" down past the grass roots and into the soil area where roots can take advantage of them.
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Reference
Percival, G., 2020. Research laboratory technical report on Vertical mulching, Bartlett Tree experts. Available at: https://www.bartlett.com/resources/vertical%20mulching%20uk%20gp%202020.pdf. Accessed on: 26 June 2022.
Sharma, P., Abrol, V., Sharma, N., Tajamual, 2015. Mulching: A best management practice for soil and water conservation. Rashtriya Krishi 10(2), 82 -83.