Crops can easily be grown in dry seasons through mulching, as it conserves moisture in the soil. Mulching with grass husks greatly benefits farmers crops and generate more income other than using plastic mulches.
Mulches can be made from dried leaves, grass and straws both from one material or mixture of two materials.
Mulching benefits
Keeping the soil moist saves water, as well as allowing earth worms, soil organisms to grow improving soil fertility and water infiltration. Additionally mulches improves soil fertility for proper crop establishment, proper seed germination which boosts farm yields and also slows down the growth of weeds in well established crops reducing competition of nutrients.
Application of mulches
This activity starts by collecting mulches and drying them if they are not well dried to control disease. To ensure that mulch lasts longer, use different mulches in different crop fields for example dry hay or husks and fodder or dry husk for fruits. Put mulches in between plants and rows to improve soil fertility and increase yields, however mulches attract snakes and rats and these are controlled by growing repellants. Some farmers use plastic mulches. These can decrease soil fertility and cause lower profitability.
