“Mulching in Modern Agriculture: A Review of Mulching Materials, Agronomic Benefits, and Environmental Constraints”

Mulching is an important soil management practice widely used in agriculture to improve soil conditions and enhance crop productivity.This review critically examines the role of organic and inorganic mulching materials in modern agriculture, with emphasis on their agronomic benefits and environmental constraints.Mulching involves covering the soil surface with organic materials such as straw, compost, crop residues, and plant biomass, or inorganic materials such as plastic films, landscape fabrics, and gravel.The reviewed studies clearly indicate that mulching plays a significant role in soil moisture conservation, regulation of soil temperature, reduction of evaporation losses, weed suppression, and control of soil erosion.Organic mulches improve soil structure, organic matter content, microbial activity, and long-term soil fertility, making them suitable for sustainable and organic farming systems.In contrast, inorganic mulches, particularly plastic films, are highly effective in enhancing water-use efficiency, improving early crop establishment, and increasing yields, especially in arid and semi-arid regions.Despite their benefits, both mulching types have limitations.Organic mulches require frequent replacement due to rapid decomposition, while inorganic mulches raise serious concerns related to plastic pollution, soil health degradation, and environmental sustainability.Recent advances in biodegradable and photodegradable mulches offer promising alternatives, although their long-term ecological effects require further investigation.Overall, this review highlights that no single mulching material is universally ideal, and the selection of mulch should be crop, soil, and climate-specific.An integrated and environmentally responsible mulching strategy can contribute significantly to sustainable agriculture under changing climatic conditions