Effects of mulching with rice straw on some physical properties of soils under rubber
1999
Samarappulli, L. | Yogaratnam, N. | Karunadasa, P. | Mitrasena, U.
The value of mulching with rice straw in improving some physical properties of soil during the immature period of rubber plants was studied. Data on the influence of different soil management practices indicated that soil bulk + density, soil porosity and soil resistance were improved with mulching in the clean weeded circle around the rubber plants. The highest aggregation percentage was also observed under mulch. There was an increase of 20% in aggregation and a reduction of + finer aggregates by 45% over the clean weeded circle in the legume plots. A significant difference was also observed in the mean weight diameter of water stable aggregates. Also, the soils under mulch had the highest moisture content. The moisture + profile distribution and available -water storage capacity of the soils under different soil management practices over a period of 12 months were also studied for a 160 cm profile depth, which is considered as the rooting depth of immature rubber. + Mulching has improved water retention at different soil potentials. Similarly, at different suctions more water was retained in the soils under mulch as compared to soils in the clean weeded circles of legume plots and natural plots which have a growth + of natural vegetation. The infiltration rate showed a distinct variation among the different treatments.
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