Effect of mulching on growth, yield and quality of onion (Allium cepa L.): A Review

As the population of India continues growing, we have to implement some techniques to sustain the growth of our agricultural production and it can be achieved by conservation farming and in this regard, one of the best method is old age method of mulching practiced in agricultural community. Mulching became useful method in current agriculture production in terms of increase or decrease in soil temperature, moisture conservation, reduction in weeds, increase in crop yield, decrease in some of insect pest and also good for conserving soil nutrients. In mulching, plastic mulch, especially black plastic polyethylene are mostly used due to its good result, minimal prize and some biodegradable mulches are also used because it can be left in filed after harvesting of crop but they are more costly than plastic mulch and less durable than polyethylene. In this review paper, an attempt has been made to compile the published research work on mulches and various kind of mulching materials used in horticultural crops in different climate conditions according to different approaches.