Mulching material impact on yield, soil moisture and salinity in saline-irrigated sorghum plots

The aim of the study was to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of mulching technique and material for sustainable sorghum fodder yield. Intrusion of seawater into good quality aquifers is the main problem limiting agricultural production in the Al-Batinah coastal region of Oman. Due to high temperatures of the region between April and October, there is very high water evaporation rate. Surface mulch has significant effect on reducing evaporation of water; therefore, it can decrease salt accumulation as well. This study was conducted to compare effects of two different mulching materials (date palm leaves and black plastic in addition to control without any mulch) and resultant growth of sorghum. There were two levels of water salinity (3 and 6 dS m¹) and three levels of water application rates (1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 ETc). The results indicated that date palm leaves mulch was more effective in conserving soil water content, reducing salt accumulation in the soil, reducing soil temperature and resulting in higher yield of sorghum compared to the plastic mulch that was successful to maintain moisture at even higher level than date palm mulch but it raised soil temperature as well. Resultantly, lesser yield of sorghum was recorded in this treatment.