Application and Impacts of Mulch Installation Techniques on Indian Horticulture: An In-depth Review

Mulching, an ancient agricultural practice, has emerged as a critical tool in modern horticulture due to its numerous benefits. This review examines the application and impacts of mulch installation techniques on Indian horticulture, with focus understanding different types, traditional techniques, advantages, potential crop growth yield, environmental implications. The introduction elucidates definition historical importance mulching sets objective review: comprehensively assess various their agriculture. subsequent sections delve into types mulches used categorizing them organic, inorganic, biodegradable materials. Each type is discussed detail, including benefits concerns, providing holistic materials available farmers. Traditional such hand-spreading use simple tools, are explored, highlighting local adaptations indigenous practices that have been prevalent agriculture for generations. Modern like automated spreaders, plastic film laying machines, mats/sheets, then examined, emphasizing enhance efficiency productivity contemporary goes explore advantages soil moisture retention, weed reduction, temperature regulation, erosion control, organic matter addition case mulches. These underscore vital role sustainable resource-efficient farming. yield analyzed, focusing improved germination early growth, reduced water requirements, enhanced pest disease resistance, increased quality produce. effects fruits, vegetables, flowers, also elucidating versatility across diverse contexts. Furthermore, investigates materials, structure improvement, reduction runoff, carbon sequestration. Simultaneously, pollution from inorganic mulches, decomposition rate residues biodiversity, discussed. Finally, recommendations future research practice proposed. include exploring new options, developing cost-effective implementing training programs farmers horticulturists, formulating policies guidelines practices. By addressing these challenges, contributing productive can be fully realized.