Effects comparation of different mulching methods on soil in pitaya orchards

Abstract

Hainan province is one of the major producers of tropical fruits in China, and the pitaya industry is a pillar of the local economy. To mitigate the effects of extreme temperature, damaging sunlight, and the soil erosion during the growth of pitaya, an increasing number of local growers are using mulch in local orchards. The types of mulch used in this area can be broadly classified into three groups: plastic film, organic material, and living mulch. Different mulching practices have varying effects on the physicochemical and biological properties of the soil. A large body of research has shown that mulching can increase the moisture content of shallow soil by reducing evaporation and regulating its temperature (Adamaviciene et al., 2012; Ma et al., 2018). Mulching treatments are also beneficial for controlling weeds, enhancing the content of soil nutrients, improving soil enzyme activities, and improving the microecological environment (Xun et al., 2015). While the conditions of the soil change according to the different mulching practices used, Chen et al. (2014) have claimed that although organic mulch is not mixed into soil, decomposed organic materials can be gradually absorbed into it. A relatively independent microecological system has been constructed by using film mulching which is more effective than organic mulching in terms of inhibiting evaporation and preserving heat in the soil (Zhang et al., 2010). A study by Fang et al. (2011) showed that fresh biomass can © 2021 Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences