More recently, the first recommendations to farmers to increase the yield of many crops were the deep digging of the soil and the need for mineral (chemical) fertilizers. Now they are increasingly talking about loosening the soil with plane cutters, followed by mulching of the earth's surface. Why and how to carry out this agrotechnical method, from what materials is mulch made, what will this give the farmer in the end, which is called the crop?
Life in the soil
In the soil-plant layer, a biological cycle constantly occurs . The microflora of the soil (bacteria, actinomycetes, soil fungi and algae) processes (feeds) plant remains: fallen leaves, wilted grass. This is the most powerful biological force on Earth, as Academician V.I. Vernadsky. For the existence of some, you need air in the soil, others dispense with and feel great without air. Microbes, organics and minerals are needed to feed earthworms, called its main reclamators.
And then a man comes to the site with a bag of mineral (chemical fertilizers) and with a sharp shovel. After digging carefully the soil, making fertilizer into it, he literally turns the entire soil world upside down. Anaerobic bacteria die from the abundance of air, aerobic bacteria die, being deep in the ground. As a result, the worms remain hungry, in addition, the soil is saturated with chemicals that are harmful to them. There are gardeners who do not have a single weed all year round, not only in the beds, but also in the aisles, and some do not skimp on herbicides. And what good is it? The soil remains defenseless against drought, dry winds and leaching of nutrients from it by torrential rains.
Soil mulching
For soil fertility , loosening by plane cutters to a depth of 5-7 cm and subsequent mulching is necessary . Mulch - what is it? Clothing for the soil, protection and nutrition for soil microflora and fauna. Under this layer, the biological cycle of substances will be much more effective - decomposition of organic matter to a state suitable for the growth of the next generations of representatives of the plant world and soil inhabitants.
Organic mulch is more in demand. What is it? Chopped and rotted grass (the same weeds, do not remove them from the boundary after weeding or make compost from them), straw, hay, foliage, husk from seeds, needles are good. Mulch from sawdust is suitable, but only from stale or specially prepared (pour into
plastic bags, spill with infusion of mullein and tie for three weeks). Can be used as mulch paper, cardboard, pre-cut. Organic mulch gradually decomposes and becomes an additional nutrition for the inhabitants of the soil world.
Apply mulching to decorate the landscape. In this case, inorganic mulch is also suitable. What is it? Gravel, sand, expanded clay. Inorganic mulch includes black polyethylene and a woven covering material, spreading which under the buttocks, to prevent contamination of the berry by the ground. Organic mulch from pine bark, colored wood chips of different trees looks decorative.
The benefits of mulching
Mulch protects the soil from changes in air temperature, retains moisture and soil structure, dampens weed growth, and decorates the landscape. Mulch contributes to the fruitful and tireless work of microflora and fauna. What is it? This is the life and prosperity of the soil, which means human well-being.