Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 120/4, 1–15, Ljubljana 2024 doi:10.14720/aas.2024.120.4.18807 Review article / pregledni znanstveni članek Mulching strategies and the significance of mulching in improving soil fertility and soil physical properties: A review Arshad Abdulkhalq YASEEN 1, 2 and Mardin Khidhir ABDULQADIR 3 Received May 31, 2024; accepted November 20, 2024 Delo je prispelo 31. maj 2024, sprejeto 20. november 2024 1 Department of Horticulture, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, Salahaddin University-Erbil, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq 2 corresponding author: arshad.yaseen@su.edu.krd 3 Department of Veterinary, Shaqlawa Technical College, Erbil Polytechnic University, Erbil, Iraq Mulching strategies and the significance of mulching in im- proving soil fertility and soil physical properties: A review Abstract: The population growth has increased the de- mands on food and resources like land and water, affecting crop productivity and yields in arid and semi-arid areas. Ap- proximately 50 % of the land area on Earth is made up of arid and semi-arid areas. Optimizing agricultural field manage- ment techniques is crucial due to limited rainfall, but intensive cultural techniques like irrigation, weeding, fertilizers, and stress prevention make vegetable production expensive. This review has examined 118 recent published studies on mulch- ing materials and procedures in vegetable farming, focusing on their impact on soil and environment. It suggests mulch can be a viable alternative to traditional methods, reducing irri- gation and chemical inputs for weed control. The review also discusses the effects of organic mulching on soil temperature, moisture content, organic matter content, soil microorganisms, pest and insect control, and plant yield. The aim is to conduct a comparative analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of mulches in vegetable farming. Mulch techniques can enhance vegetable production by reducing cultivation costs, improving soil properties like temperature regulation, moisture, weed sup- pression, and structure, and providing habitat for insects and earthworms, thereby improving soil biological activities. Key words: organic and inorganic mulches, soil proper- ties, pros and cons of mulches, mulching and soil fertility Načini mulčenja in pomen mulčenja pri izboljšanju rodovi- tnosti tal in njihovih fizikalnih lastnosti: pregled. Izvleček: Rast človeške populacije je povečala zahteve po hrani in drugih virih kot sta obdelovalna zemlja in voda, kar je vplivalo na produktivnost gojenih rastlin in njihove pridel- ke v sušnih in polsušnih območjih. Na Zemlji je približno 50  % površin sušnih in polsušnih. Optimizacija tehnik up- ravljanja kmetijskih zemljišč je odločilna zaradi omejenih padavin, a intenzivni načini tehnik v kmetijstvu kot so na- makanje, odstranjevanje plevelov, gnojenje in preprečevanje stresa delajo pridelavo zelenjave drago. V tem pregledu je bilo pregledanih 118 v zadnjem času objavljenih raziskav o načinih in pripomočkih mulčenja pri pridelavi zelenjave, ki se osredotočajo o vplivih na tla in okolje. Izsledki naka- zujejo, da je mulčenje primerna alternativa tradicionalnim metodam, ker zmanjšuje potrebe po namakanju in vnosu ke- mikalij za zatiranje plevelov. Pregled komentira tudi učinke organskega mulčenja na temperaturo tal, vsebnost vode in organskih snovi v tleh, vpliv na mikroorganizme, uravnavanje škodljivcev in vpliv na pridelek. Namen je izvesti primerjal- no analizo prednosti in slabostio mulčenaj pri pridelovanju zelenjave. Tehnike mulčenja lahko pospešijo pridelavo zelen- jave z zmanševanjem stroškov pridelave, z izboljševanjem lat- nosti tal kot sta uravnavanje temperature in vlažnosti in z za- tiranjem plevelnih združb. Tehnike mulčenja lahko pospešijo pridelavo zelenjave in zmanjšajo stroške, izboljšajo lastnosti tal kot so uravnavanje temperature in vlažnosti, zatiranje plevelov in zagotavljanje primernih habitatov za žuželke in deževnike in s tem izboljšanje biološke aktivnosti tal. Ključne besede: organsko in anorgansko mulčenje, last- nosti tal, prednosti in slabosti mulčenja, mulčenje in rodovit- nost tal Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 120/4 – 20242 A. A. YASEEN et al. 1 BACKGROUND Due to current globalization and health conscious- ness, there is a greater need than ever for upright horti- cultural crops, farmers are being forced to produce more and high-quality fruits and vegetables to survive in the global market due to the growing demand for these prod- ucts, and market competition (Ranjan et al., 2017; Yaseen et al., 2023). The importance of managing soil as a non- renewable resource to promote sustainable development is becoming more widely acknowledged the health of the soil determines the productivity of arable systems farm management techniques, such as the use of pesticides, fertilizers, mulching, and manure, can have an impact on soil health and sustainable development (Ngosong et al., 2019). Additionally, rapid urbanization and industrializa- tion have raised global temperatures, upsetting the bal- ance of agro-ecological systems all over the world for sustainable food production (Iqbal et al., 2020). The new environmentally friendly agricultural techniques are therefore required by lowering soil evaporation, preserv- ing moisture, regulating soil temperature, inhibiting weed growth, and enhancing microbial activity, also mulching can also be affective. Mulching is the process of apply- ing different covering materials to the soil’s surface to in- crease crop yield, reduce weed growth and moisture loss (Iqbal et al., 2020). The microclimate surrounding a plant is directly influenced by mulching materials, and this can have beneficial or detrimental effects on the physiologi- cal metabolism of the plant (Kader et al., 2017). Various mulching materials can be used for differ- ent agricultural and horticultural crop in different cli- mates. Mulch can be a ground cover made of live plants, loose organic and inorganic matter particles scattered over the soil, or sheets of natural or artificial materials applied to the soil’s surface. The primary benefits of us- ing organic mulches are the organic matter and nutrients they provide for soil organisms as well as plants. The pri- mary functions of organic mulches are to enhance crop plant growth conditions and shield the soil’s surface from adverse influences. Although organic mulches are biode- gradable, a temporary decrease in soil mineral nitrogen may occur during the decomposition process (Ranjan et al., 2017; Yaseen and Takacs-Hajos, 2022). The application of mulches improves soil structure, provides organic matter, lessens the effects of wind and, water erosion, and cools the soil during the summer, all of which increase crop yields (Kosterna, 2014a). Mulch- ing increases yield more when it comes to species that are cultivated for early harvest (Qin et al., 2015). The main reasons for increased plant growth in response to mulch- ing have been identified as soil moisture conservation, improving microbial activities, soil temperature regu- lation, and decreased competition from turf and other plants (Iqbal et al., 2020). Conversely, synthetic mulches can be applied me- chanically and offer a strong defence against the majority of weeds; however, they need to be taken out at the end of the growing season. Furthermore, crop root zone pen- etration of rainfall or overhead irrigation can be impeded by non-porous plastic mulches. While most of the water runs off the mulch into alleys and may not reach crop roots, some of it does run into planting holes. The labour- intensive end-of-season removal, the production of non- biodegradable waste, and the lack of organic matter or nutrients added to the soil are additional drawbacks of synthetic mulches (Kosterna, 2014b). In ecological farm- ing, it is advised that soil be covered with composts, chopped straw, and other organic residues to supply crops with nutrients, particularly nitrogen (Bajoriene et al., 2013). The purpose of this study is to look into how im- portant is mulching in increasing crop productivity and improving soil. In particular, it compares organic and non-organic techniques in an effort to highlight the ad- vantages of mulching in vegetable production. 2 MAIN TEXT 2.1 ADVANTAGES OF MULCHING PROCEDURE INTEGRATION WITH SOIL In various mulching techniques, it was discovered that adding organic mulch to the soil increases its organic matter (Bajoriene et al., 2013). Liu et al. (2021b) stated that among the used materials for mulching (organic and inorganic materials), straw mulching and dual mulching of the ridge (film) and furrow (straw) improved soil or- ganic carbon (SOC) storage due to straw decomposition in the soil. Using a variety of materials for mulching has the potential to increase soil moisture, decrease evapora- tion losses, and suppress weed growth. Various mulching techniques showed notable effects on the quantity, quali- ty, and growth of different crops (Iqbal et al., 2020). There are inconsistencies regarding mulching’s effectiveness because various scientists have reported negative effects from the practice. Plastic film mulching, for example, contributes to an increase in net global warming poten- tial (GWP) and greenhouse gas emissions. (gu Lee et al., 2022). Caboň et al. (2021) also discovered that mulch- ing has a negative impact on vascular plant diversity due to competition and changes in plant reproductivity. Additionally, mulching reduced fungal diversity of mac- Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 120/4 – 2024 3 Mulching strategies and the significance of mulching in improving soil fertility and soil physical properties: A review ro-fungi collectively, known as CHEGD fungi, in semi- natural grasslands of Europe due to the decomposition of plant litter by saprotrophic organisms, which causes changes in soil properties. Despite the fact that mulches have many advantages over these drawbacks, the disad- vantages reported by various scientists are not as risky in actual field conditions (Iqbal et al., 2020). Nonetheless, the literature suggests that mulches are an inexpensive way to control weed growth and maintain a significant level of soil moisture content (Iqbal et al., 2020). One of the mulch’s biggest benefits is that it adds organic mat- ter to the soil, particularly nutrient-rich mulch, which has a positive impact on the soil’s chemical and physi- cal characteristics and ultimately, crop productivity. The amount of chemical plant protection and mineral ferti- lisers applied can be decreased thanks to this manage- ment system. Numerous studies have shown that keep- ing organic matter on the soil’s surface promotes plant growth and development and increases vegetable yield (Kosterna, 2014b; NING et al., 2017). From an ecologi- cal standpoint, mulching offers numerous benefits. These benefits are particularly significant in places where water is scarce. Mulching has many advantages as it is shown in Table 1. 2.1.1 Effect of mulch on soil moisture Since the 20th century, conserving water and soil has become a significant issue to the human life (Mekonnen et al., 2015). The need for agricultural land is growing as the world‘s population continues to rise, and soil and water losses are getting worse. This is especially true in developing countries (Thomaz and Luiz, 2012). Based on the reports by FAO (2015); IPCC (2019), the quarter of the word’s agricultural land has been degraded in the last few decades. Farmers can actively maintain the residual soil health by farming in a healthy manner; mulching is one such method; however, in order to preserve the eco- system, this requires direct support from national and international governments. By absorbing and using rainfall, mulching can significantly alter the growing conditions of crops and lower the likelihood of crop failure in the field, particu- larly in arid or semi-arid areas (Wang et al., 2021). The soil‘s conversion to barren land due to moisture loss is caused by numerous abiotic factors. The main purpose of mulches in the cultivation of vegetable crops is to protect the soil surface from the influence of unfavourable fac- tors and to improve the growing conditions for the crop plants (Iqbal et al., 2020; van Donk et al., 2012). Mulches also help maintain stable soil temperature, increase soil porosity, and suppress weed growth, reducing evapora- Types of mulch Benefits References Straw mulch Water productivity rises while water usage falls. Jat et al. (2015) Decreases the Colorado potato beetle’s insect pest invasion and late blight in potatoes Finckh et al. (2015) There are improvements in rice yield, grain quality, and recovery. Jabran et al. (2015) Less runoff or erosion, better soil water management, and temperature control Montenegro et al. (2013) Compost mulching Mulching and organic composting workable ways to lessen the detrimen- tal effects of water stress and save irrigation water by 15 %. Abd El-Mageed et al. (2018) Newspaper Lower soil temperature keep moisture in soil Haapala et al. (2014b) Sawdust Sawdust, whereas the control preserved moisture and generated compara- tively less ’Savoy’ baby cabbage. Masarirambi et al. (2013) Table 1: Benefits of organic mulches for soil properties. Here are some advantages of mulching strategies on soil content and soil microbiological improvements: Figure 1: The effect of the three different mulch types on the soil water content. Source: McMillen (2013) Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 120/4 – 20244 A. A. YASEEN et al. tion and conserve soil moisture and a significantly slow down soil water loss (Bajoriene et al., 2013; Kader et al., 2017). Consequently, a more consistent and elevated soil water regime is upheld, thereby decreasing the frequen- cy of irrigation (Sajid et al., 2013). Narayan et al. (2017) have demonstrated that black double coated polythene mulch could significantly retain soil moisture by 16.74 % when compared to white double coated, black single co- ated inorganic mulch, and organic straw paddy mulch, this was because they increase retention and percolation while decreasing evaporation see (Figure 1). Organic mulches have an impact on the soil water cycle. The exposed soil is more susceptible to the effects of rain, wind, and soil radiation. Mulches decrease ra- infall water loses, which increases the soil‘s ability to absorb the precipitation water (Brunetti, 2014). Living mulch can grow alongside crops year-round, protect the soil layer over time with good coverage, and contribute significantly to soil and water conservation (Donjadee and Tingsanchali, 2016; Fracchiolla et al., 2020). Yin et al. (2016) have discovered that double mulching of organic and inorganic materials improves moisture retention in the soil by 4.6 %. Soil covered with plastic mulches can reduce evaporation and protect soil moisture in salt-af- fected reclamation soils. (Chen et al., 2023). Mulch type Materials Effect on soil temperature Reference Organic Biodegradable (eco-benign plastic) Biodegradable mulches significantly reduced tempera- ture by 2.04 °C-3.52 °C and 0.52 °C-0.88 °C (p < 0.050) throughout seedling and full growth periods, compared to plastic mulch. Jia et al. (2020) Mushroom compost maintained a higher temperature on the soil surface and a depth of 15 cm Guo and Liu (2022), Yordanova and Gerasi- mova (2015) Barley straw significantly increasing it in winter and then significantly decreasing it in spring and summer as well as regulating soil temperature Ding et al. (2017), Song et al. (2024) Maize straw lowest temperature was observed compared to plastic film, biodegradable film mulches Li et al. (2013) Grass and pine needle mulch, Helps regulating soil hydrothermal regimes Sharma et al. (2024) Rice straw mulch In comparison to without mulch (Mo), cover crops Arachis pintoi (Ma), rice straw mulch (Mj), and black silver plastic mulch (Mp), the rice straw mulch with a combination of organic and inorganic fertiliser produced the lowest soil temperature of 17.82 ⁰C. Nurzadeh Namaghi et al. (2018) Inorganic Black double coated, white double coated and black single coated polythene Increased soil temperature was caused by the absorbing of solar radiation by plastic mulches and the transmission of heat into the soil deep of the first 20 cm. Torres-Olivar et al. (2018), Gheshm and Brown (2020) Clear polyethylene mulch The highest average temperatures were found for the clear mulch compared to blue plastic mulch. Jia et al. (2020), Tesfaye et al. (2016), Pramanik et al. (2015) Coloured plastic mulches (silver, yellow and black) Under greenhouse conditions, soil temperature at 20 cm depth decreased by 2-3 °C in summer and increased by 3–5 °Cin winter. Laulina and Hasan (2018) Polythene film increased the soil temperature by about 6 °C at 5 cm depth and by 4 °C and 1 °C at 10 cm depth Gu et al. (2020), Yang et al. (2020) Orange plastic mulch (250 µm) Soil temperature was increased compared to no mulch as the control, maize straw mulch, Grass mulch (Eragrostis lehmanniana Nees) Malamba (2021) Table 2: Recent research works showing the effect the mulching types on soil temperature on different vegetables. Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 120/4 – 2024 5 Mulching strategies and the significance of mulching in improving soil fertility and soil physical properties: A review 2.1.2 Effect of mulch on soil temperature Mulch is a type of soil cover that helps to keep the soil at a consistent temperature and humidity, pre- vent weed growth, and reduce soil erosion (Dvořák et al., 2012). Mulches are known to modify microclimatic conditions by influencing soil temperature through the transmission of light energy (Hu et al., 2011). Modifies the microclimate surrounding the grown plants, assisting it in adapting to climate change (Kasirajan and Ngouajio, 2012). Table 2 lists the most recent research publications on the effect of different mulch materials on soil temper- ature in growing plants. 2.1.3 Effect of mulch on improving soil organic mat- ter Due to its ability to restore degraded soils and pro- vide the most basic energy substrate, soil organic matter (SOM) is essential to crop production (Guimarães et al., 2013). The primary benefits of organic mulches are their organic matter content and ability to supply nutrients to soil organisms as well as plants, the interplay of chemical, physical, and biological soil properties result in soil qu- ality. According to a study by Hwang et al. (2020), inor- ganic mulch material (plastic film (PFM)) caused soil organic carbon (SOC) losses of 8–48 %, whereas organic mulch (green manure (GM)) could dramatically decre- ase SOC losses by 33-59 %. Additionally, after six years of applying organic mulch to the soil, SOM, soil fertility, and soil physicochemical properties improved. Cellula- se, invertase, and dehydrogenase activities in the organic mulch-covered soil were 17.46 %, 78.98 %, and 283.19 % higher than those in the lawn, accordingly, at a depth of 0–20 cm (Liu et al., 2024). The degree of soil alteration in both natural and agroecosystems can be assessed using specific soil prop- erties, such as highlighted enzyme activities. Soil en- zymes have the potential to function as early indicators of biological changes because they may react to modi- fications in soil management more quickly than other soil variables (Naorem et al., 2021). An essential func- tion of soil enzymes is to catalyse processes related to the decomposition of organic matter and the cycling of nutrients (Jodaugienė et al., 2010). Additionally, mulch can enhance the quality of the soil. Short-term mulch- ing can effectively reduce runoff and sedimentation, and long-term mulching can greatly increase the organic matter in the soil as a result of the mulching materials‘ deterioration, matter, and accessible nutrients (Jiménez et al., 2016). Fracchiolla et al. (2020) have reported that the mineral content in the soil covered with living mulch was significantly improved, such elements like Mg and Fe, whereas a reduction of Na, K, and Ca was observed. In addition to preventing weed growth, applying organic mulch to soils can improve soil fertility and supply plants with the necessary mineral elements (Mulumba and Lal, 2008). Furthermore, a long-term nitrogen fertigation yield study by Ding et al. (2022) found that mulching with PFM reduced nitrogen fertiliser leaching, resulting in increased root biomass, SOC by 26  %, soil enzyme ac- tivities, and SOC mineralisation rates due to the diurnal internal water cycle within the mulch. 2.1.4 Effect of mulch on weed control suppression Covering the soil with mulches helps prevent weed growth and weed competition. The mechanisms throu- gh which living mulches suppress weeds include com- petition for light and subsurface resources, and shading, which prevents weed seeds from germinating and allelo- pathy (Médiène et al., 2011; Petit et al., 2018). Mulching impact can be determined by a variety of parameters, including mulch material type, transparency, and thick- ness. van Donk et al. (2012) have measured a significant lower weed growth and number in the soils covered with wood chip mulch thicknesses of 5 and 10 cm compared to the same mulch but lower layer thickness at 0 and 2.5 cm. It is also found that when comparing mulch types, the best summer annual eclipta (Eclipta prostrata (L.) L.) weed control was achieved with hardwood at about 5 cm depth (Saha et al., 2019). Furthermore, Dragumilo et al. (2023) investigated organic mulching materials (sawdust of acacia and dry pine needles) and inorganic mulching materials (silver-brown and black „agrotextile“ film) to determine their impact on weed biomass and dry mass. The results show that inorganic materials had a signifi- cant better reduction of weed biomass using silver-brown film by 96.3-100 %, followed by black „agrotextile“ film at 74.6-95.9 %. Additionally, synthetic materials were able Figure 2: The typical percentage of weed growth for each treat- ment. Source: El-Shaih and Fouda (2008) Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 120/4 – 20246 A. A. YASEEN et al. to substantially decrease total dry biomass by 84.6-100 %, while organic materials by 28.5-81.4 %. In recent years, interest in living mulches has again increased because living mulch systems can contribute to agricultural sustainability through reducing herbici- de inputs and improved soil health (Bartel et al., 2020). Sharma et al. (2024) have discovered that black mulch and mulch mat treatments provided 100 % weed control efficiency. Spreading mulch on the soil‘s surface penetra- tion of light into soil, which slows the germination of small-seeded weed species. According to a research study by Mohtisham et al. (2013), there was no difference in the types of mulch used when comparing unmatched to mulched areas in fifteen districts; nevertheless, there was a noticeable difference in the number of weeds treated with bare soil. DeVetter et al. (2015) found straw and li- ving mulches surpassed cultivation and herbicides in ter- ms of weed control and reduction. Conversely, Dvorak et al. (2015) have found no consistent influence on weeds‘ aboveground biomass of potato field covered with grass mulch. In contrast, a research study discovered that prior to cabbage planting, oat and phacelia mulches drastical- ly reduced fresh biomass and weed population (Fran- czuk et al., 2010). So that, many factors can influence of the effectiveness of mulches on weed control including mulch types, thickness, colour, the plant growth cycle and environmental factors. Narayan et al. (2017) noticed that mulching with hardwood chips recorded a better re- sult in weed suppressing compared to pine bark and pine straw mulching. Figure 2 shows the percentage of weed growth for each treatment under black film, the percen- tage of weed was reduced to the lowest of 9 % and to the maximum of 98 % under transparent film. Because of the black film‘s significant reducing of light penetration into the soil, weed seedlings cannot grow under the mulch. 2.1.5 Influence of mulch on soil pest problem Type of mulch Type of plant Type of insect or pathogens Effect Source Living mulch Red clover Cabbage Turnip root fly, Delia floralis (Fallén, 1824)) Decrease lying egg Björkman et al. (2010) Straw mulch- ing Kale (Brassicaceae) Myzus persicae ( ) Decrease in population, and pro- vide a better refuge for the natural enemies Silva-Filho et al. (2014), Mochiah and Baidoo (2012) plastic mulch Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) Beetle flea Podagrica species, roller of cotton leaves Cotton strainer with Notarcha derogate Whitefly, Dysder- cus spp. Oedaleus nigeriensis Uvarov, 1926, the Nigerian grasshopper, and Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius, 1889) Decreased insect pests and gener- ated stronger yields Ojiako et al. (2018) Cowpea live mulch Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Aphids (Aphis gossypii Glover , 1877), thrips (Thrips tabaci Lindeman, 1889) and white flies (Bemisia tabaci (Genn., 1889)), suppressing pest populations Mochiah and Baidoo (2012) Living mulch Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say, 1824 (Say): Flea beetles, Epitrix spp. In comparison to the monoculture plots, fewer Colorado potato beetle adults, larvae, and eggs were dis- covered in the interplanted plots. Hooks et al. (2013) straw, walnut leaves, mixed leaves, compost Potato tubers (So- lanum tuberosum L.) Potato tuber damage caused by soil-dwelling pests and soil-borne pathogens mulch thickness (20 cm or more) can reduce damaging potato tubers caused by pathogens (e.g. Fusarium species). Südiné Fehér and Zalai (2024) Green plastic mulch in- creased in the planting and covered row (tomato, cucumber, watermelon, straw- berry, and vine) the populations of fungevorous nematodes (Aphelenchus sp.) and Dorylaimida (omnivore nematodes) differed less between the soil mulching Long-term growing of blueberries using green 100 % high-density polyethylene mulch did not signifi- cantly affect the presence of nema- todes or the amount of Rhabditida (bacterial feeders). Pedra et al. (2024) Table 3: Different types of mulch effect of different insects and pathogens. Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 120/4 – 2024 7 Mulching strategies and the significance of mulching in improving soil fertility and soil physical properties: A review Vegetables are extremely susceptible to pest and in- sect damage. It has been demonstrated that the distribu- tion of pests in agriculture is significantly influenced by straw mulching (Phophi and Mafongoya, 2017). Organic and inorganic materials used as mulch have varying ef- fects on pest populations in the soil. For instance, mulch- ing straw increases the number of insects (Ma et al., 2021). Rice-straw mulching promotes natural enemies, while black polythene inhibits insect pest populations (Kumaratenna et al., 2022). In addition to other materi- als, organic mulches such peel and rice straw alter tem- perature and UV rays, which reduces the infestation of aphids (Silva-Filho et al., 2014). Plastic mulch is advised for optimal crop production and the management of Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench insect pests (Ojiako et al., 2018). While straw mulch may offer a better haven for the natural enemies and is still a suggested choice for pest management in pepper production, cowpea mulch may be more successful at suppressing pest populations (Mochiah and Baidoo, 2012). Mulching can minimise pest population and crop damage by encouraging the ac- tivity of natural enemies in the soil and improving the micro-environment for pest disruption with natural ene- my activity, and other reasons (Gill et al., 2011; Thomson and Hoffmann, 2007). Table 3 shows some examples of how using various mulch types affects certain insects: 2.1.6 Influence of mulching on soil microorganisms Mulching can change the biological content of the soil, reducing its sustainability and quality, and even causing soil alkalization, which can harm plants (Ni et al., 2016). Unlike other mulching methods, organic mulch- ing is primarily made from plant residues, which have been shown to improve soil health (Kader et al., 2017). A research study by Sharma et al. (2024) indicated that grass and pine mulch had a substantial impact on total viable count, microbial activity, and microbial biomass carbon. Furthermore, mulching can increase the richness of the soil microecosystem (Kolota and Adamczewska- Sowinska, 2013). Tian et al. (2015) discovered that soil microorganisms greatly altered agroecosystem structure and nutrient cycling as soil fertility increased. Soil mi- croorganisms are crucial to the soil‘s ability to maintain fertility and cycle nutrients, both of which are important for agroecosystem resilience and productivity (Liu et al., 2019; Yeboah et al., 2016). Moreover, the movement of matter and energy within the soil ecosystem was facilitated by the diversity of soil microorganisms (Mori et al., 2018). The micro- bial community may change as a result of changes in the physicochemical characteristics of the soil during the mulching process (Qian et al., 2018). In addition to helping forecast changes in soil functions, soil microbial diversity and biomass showed sensitivity to changes in the physicochemical properties and management of the soil (Romaniuk et al., 2011). To take effective action to increase soil fertility and, productivity and guarantee the sustainable development of soil ecosystems, it would be beneficial to investigate the diversity and composition of microbial communities in soils that are being mulched. Inorganic mulches may have a negative influence on soil microorganism activities. Pedra et al. (2024) have demonstrated that green plastic mulch was dramatically lower microbial activity in the planting row when com- pared to bare soil without mulching. 2.1.7 Influence of mulching on earthworm biomass Earthworms have been identified as indications of soil biological health. Earthworms are typical ecosystem engineers because they significantly influence the physi- cal qualities of soil in a variety of ways. Many research investigations indicate that mulching can boost biomass and population improvement, primarily with organic or biological mulches. Earthworms not only improve soil physical properties but also can improve soil water reten- tion and reduce evaporation in lateritic red soil (Liu et al., 2021a). On the other hand, a 14-year study by Pelosi et al. (2015) examined organic and living mulch farming sys- tems, and they discovered that organic and living mulch cropping systems had 1.5 and 2.3 times more earthworms than conventional systems. Radics et al. (2022) indicates that whereas irrigation greatly reduced earthworm bio- mass and abundance in the summer, organic mulching (made from wheat straw) significantly enhanced it. Jodaugienė et al. (2010) have also indicate the activ- ity of soil enzymes was not significantly affected by the thickness of the mulch layer, but the density and biomass Figure 3: The influence of organic mulches and different thickness of mulch layer on the earthworm biomass. Source: Jodaugienė et al. (2010) Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 120/4 – 20248 A. A. YASEEN et al. of earthworms were positively impacted by mulches made of grass and straw (Figure 3.). According to the findings, grass or straw mulch creates and maintains fa- vourable conditions for earthworms (Jodaugienė et al., 2010). 2.2 TYPE OF MULCHES 2.2.1 Organic mulch Natural plant or animal matters are used to make or- ganic mulches which can decompose naturally. Applying organic mulch as soon as the crop germinates or when the vegetable seedlings are transplanted will maximize its benefits on yield and ecological surrounding the plant (Iqbal et al., 2020). In addition to reducing nitrate leach- ing, organic mulches also improve the physical proper- ties of soil, stimulate biological activity, maintain the nitrogen cycle in balance, supply organic matter, regu- late temperature and water retention, and lessen erosion (El-Beltagi et al., 2022). Applying natural ingredients to crops requires a lot of work and is challenging. Due to financial and practical constraints, the use of organic mulch in horticultural crop production has been limited, with very little large-scale commercial application (Wang et al., 2014). Organic mulch has the potential to control and enhance the soil‘s chemical, biological, and physical characteristics (Xu et al., 2022). It has been discovered that mulching with organic materials has numerous ben- efits, including reducing soil erosion, boosting nutrient cycling, improving biological processes and crop yield (Korkanç and Şahin, 2021; Ranjan et al., 2017). Millions of metric tons of organic materials are sadly wasted annually in the Kurdistan region of north- ern Iraq due to a lack of organic businesses and recy- cling companies. Mulching is done solely for research purposes, using very little organic material. After use, paper mulches decompose organically and become in- corporated into the soil (Haapala et al., 2014b). The use of organic mulching in organic farming has several goals, including improving crop productivity, encouraging sus- tainable farming methods, and strengthening soil health. In brief, using organic mulching techniques in organic farming is a comprehensive and sustainable strategy. Long-term, it improves the resilience and general health of the farming ecosystem in addition to increasing crop productivity. Mulches can be alive, synthetic, dead, or- ganic, non-organic, biodegradable, or neither. They can also take on many forms and contents (Gul et al., 2022). In this section we will focus more on organic and non- organic mulches. 2.2.2 The most commonly used ingredients or com- ponents for organic mulching Straw or crop remnants are easily accessible after harvest. Straw mulch is an easily applied and lightweight material. These days, field mulch made of paddy straw is widely used because it enhances crop cultivation condi- tions. However, using straw as mulch can lead to several problems. Because straw mulches are highly flammable and contain grain seeds that may germinate and reduce soil nitrogen levels as they decompose, they must be re- placed annually (Goodman, 2020). Tree bark is another material that is widely used as mulch, particularly in gardens and small places. Bark mulches work well because they retain moisture longer and give the crop more time to get water. It is frequent- ly applied to vegetation and landscaping. However, it shouldn‘t be used in vegetable fields due to its acidity (Iqbal et al., 2020). However, this mulch is suitable for covering the paths that run between the beds (Bantle et al., 2014). They are two types of bark clipping sources which can be used as mulch (hardwood and softwood). The paper and lumber industries produce hardwood bark clipping, which comes in a variety of sizes from chips to larger nuggets. It is primarily utilized close to trees and shrubs. Bark comes in both naturally occur- ring and coloured varieties. Typically, coloured varieties are made of a combination of non-natural peroxides and recycled wood waste. Although hardwood bark clip- pings are more nutrient-dense than soft wood, they are not always easily accessible (Prem et al., 2020). Whereas, a softwood bark is a byproduct of the paper and wood industries. Pine bark is a typical example, and it‘s often used beneath big trees and shrubs. These barks come in a variety of sizes and are typically applied to a depth of two to four inches (Ranjan et al., 2017). Wood chips are made from a variety of tree species and reprocessed wood. Wood chip mulches may limit the amount of soil nitrogen available for plant absorption during their decomposition because of their high C: N ratio (Bantle et al., 2014). Sawdust in areas where sawdust is easily accessible, it is widely used mulch. It is discovered while doing wood finishing processes. With only half the nutrients of straw, it has a lower nutritional value. Because of the high C: N ratio, the breakdown occurs slowly. Because of its break- down, the soil faces the nitrogen deficiency which later requiring frequent fertilizer application. Low soil pH shouldn‘t be used because of its acidic nature. Having said that, it does retain moisture for a long time (Tan et al., 2016). Compost easily made at home from a variety of waste materials, including leaves, grass, straw, and plant Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 120/4 – 2024 9 Mulching strategies and the significance of mulching in improving soil fertility and soil physical properties: A review wastes, compost is a great mulch and soil conditioner. The availability and use of compost in agriculture have long been practiced. It increases the soil qualities and carbon content, which strengthens the soil‘s ability to hold water and promotes soil health. However, compost is not suggested to be used in vegetable fields due to its higher N content because of the increased likelihood of weed growth (Sofy et al., 2022). Using newspaper mulch to suppress the germina- tion of last season‘s fallen weed seeds is an inexpensive method of controlling weed growth. The layers of news- paper biodegrade into the soil rapidly. Newspaper breaks down over time, making it a better material Compare with organic mulch instead of plastic. It takes less time and is less costly (Haapala et al., 2014a). Because leaves are abundant and easily accessible, they create excellent mulch ((Ranjan et al., 2017). The main issue with using leaves as mulch is that they are so light that they can be blown away even at low wind speeds. On the other hand, they are beneficial for keep- ing dormant plants warm and aiding in germination throughout the winter (Patil Shirish et al., 2013). In order to mitigate these issues, materials such as bark, stone, or any other substance that can lower wind speed should be used (Patil Shirish et al., 2013). 2.2.3 The most commonly used ingredients or com- ponents for inorganic mulching Mulches composed of inorganic materials that are devoid of organic matter are called inorganic mulches. Stones and gravels, polyethylene films, landscaping ma- terials, and rubbers are examples of inorganic mulches (Prem et al., 2020). Such as plastic mulch, make up the majority of mulch used in industrial crop cultivation. The plastics used as mulch are polyethylene films or polyvinyl chloride. Because of its increased permeability to long- wave radiation, it may cause an increase in temperature around the plants at night in the winter (El-Beltagi et al., 2022). Therefore, it is advised to use polyethylene film mulch as a mulching material when cultivating horticul- tural crops (Gosar and Baričevič, 2011). Using plastic as mulch in farming is a practice known as „ Plasticulture,“ which is gradually producing fresh vegetables (Serrano- Ruiz et al., 2021). Since they are synthetic, they can- not break down. According to the most recent update, mulching with synthetic materials specifically plastic has evolved into a cutting edge, sophisticated, and efficient method in field agriculture output today (Somanathan et al., 2022) and cased a severe issue to the most agricultural lands (Lal, 2023). Plastic mulching can treat plants, get rid of pests, and make the soil drier (Zhang et al., 2020). Every year, more than a million tons of plastic film mulch are utilized worldwide (Yu et al., 2018) . And inorganic mulching has many disadvantages like when utilized as mulch, dry materials increase the chance of fire, which could harm trees (Petratou et al., 2023). Because thick mulches can serve as havens for mice and other rodents to breed and survive, they face the risk of damaging tree trunks and roots through their nibbling of bark and burrowing into the ground (Iqbal et al., 2020). Because inorganic mulches do not break down in the soil, seasonal crops should remove them from the field when their fruiting season is over (Adnan et al., 2020). 2.3 DISADVANTAGES OF MULCHING Farm‘s unique circumstances and organizational structure will determine whether mulching is practical and cost-effective as well as how to implement it (Finckh et al., 2015). Additionally, other significant problems with some organic mulching materials, like straw and grass, are weed growth and acid leakage (Patil Shirish et al., 2013). There are certain disadvantages to mulching, including the need for more labour, higher transporta- tion costs, and challenging removal and disposal (By and Rivera, 2023). Because the plastic mulch is generating pieces that come into direct contact with the soil, the soil becomes contaminated (Wang et al., 2016). Plastic film wreckages are buried or disposed of by farmers using onsite burning or landfilling, which seriously contaminates the soil and hinders crop development (Gonzalez-Dugo et al., 2014). Mulching increases soil moisture retention, which limits the flow of oxygen near the roots due to poor soil drain- age. If mulching is done in close proximity to the stem, many pests, diseases, and microorganisms may find ref- uge in the moisture surrounding the stem of the plant. Mulches made of straw, hay, or other seeds and grass clip- pings, can encourage weed growth (Prem et al., 2020). With the exception of biodegradable plastic mulches, inorganic mulches do not break down and do not con- tribute any nutrients to the soil. In certain cases, the sun will degrade inorganic mulch and cause it to deteriorate over time. If it is dispersed throughout a large area, it may increase the temperature of the earth. Rubber is non or- ganic mulch that is potentially harmful to plants, poison- ous and damaging to the ecosystem (Prem et al., 2020). Some very common disadvantages of mulches are shown in table 4. Utilizing one waste material to reduce pollution caused by another is crucial for the development of sustainability and for improving environmental issues. Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 120/4 – 202410 A. A. YASEEN et al. In this regard, straw have both been utilized as natural environmental adsorbents as well as after undergoing a variety of treatments to increase their sorption capabili- ties (Goodman, 2020). Additional useful for the findings regarding microbial activity and functional diversity in- dicated that the weather had a significant impact on them across all mulching treatments (Brunetti, 2014). In other studies, examining the effects of various mulching techniques, it was discovered that most mulch- ing techniques generally raise soil temperature, which has an impact on the germination, growth, flowering, and harvesting stages of cucumber plants, generally speaking, the temperature rises with soil depth (Iqbal et al., 2020). It has been demonstrated that mulching raises the surface temperature while decreasing the tem- perature beneath the soil (El-Shaikh and Fouda, 2008). Furthermore, paper mulches have the advantage of not posing the disposal issue that plastic films and partially degradable bio-films frequently do. 3 CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, mulching is an essential practical need for the arid and semi-arid environments since it provides many advantages to the soil, plant yield and wa- ter shortages. Because organic mulching has so many ad- vantages over inorganic mulching, it is a better choice for farmers who want to engage in ecologically responsible and sustainable agriculture. Mulching has a significant effect on several soil and plant health factors. Natural materials such as bark or compost are used to create or- ganic mulch, which can also improve soil moisture re- tention, balances soil temperature, and encourages seed germination. It increases the organic matter in the soil, which supports the growth of bacteria, fungi, and micro- organisms. This natural cover also helps suppress weeds by reducing competition for resources. Organic mulch provides ecosystem support, which frequently reduces pest problems. As a result, there is a synergistic impact that favourably affects vegetable yield. On the other hand, inorganic mulches, which are usually composed of chemical-based materials, do not offer the same organic advantages and can even interfere with the natural processes occurring in the soil. Although they suppress weeds, they have disadvantages such as decreased soil fertility and the possibility of heat accu- mulation. Organic mulches are superior for supporting sustainable agriculture since they increase soil health and ecological balance. 4 ABBREVIATIONS Ca: Calcium CPB: Colorado potato beetle Fe: Iron GWP: global warming potential GM: Genetically modified K: Potassium Mg: Magnesium Na: Sodium N: Nitrogen PFM: Plastic film mulch SOC: Soil organic carbon SOM: Soil organic matter 5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors would like to acknowledge the support of department of Horticulture, College of agricultural engineering sciences, University of Salahaddin-Erbil. 6 AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS AAY worked as MKA‘s MSc supervisor in the or- ganic farming field. As part of her MSc study, MKA re- Inorganic mulch Disadvantage Reference Rock Although soil is absorbent, it lacks organic matter, can get heated and impact the roots of plants with shallow roots, and cannot be tilled. Hussain et al. (2023) Gravel absorbent, doesn’t add organic matter to the soil; might get heated and damage shallow-rooted plants’ roots Datta and Meena (2021) Black and plastic mulch Not air- or water-permeable; capable of suffocating plants with shallow roots non-biodegradable; provides no nutrients; weeds thrive under clear plastic; have to be covered with more mulch to shield it from UV ray harm. Iqbal et al. (2020) Table 4: Disadvantages of using mulches on plants, soil properties Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 120/4 – 2024 11 Mulching strategies and the significance of mulching in improving soil fertility and soil physical properties: A review ceived guidance from AAY on how to conduct research for and write a review article pertaining to her master‘s work. AAY examined and made improvements to all of the used data, figures, and references. AAY revised and enhanced certain sections and provided valuable rec- ommendations to enhance other sections. Both authors proofread and examined the completed manuscript. 7 FUNDING There are no external funding sources for this re- view. The authors used their own resources to conduct the study. 8 DATA AVAILABILITY DECLARATION No new data were created or analysed in this study. Data sharing is not applicable to this review article. 9 DECLARATIONS 9.1 ETHICS APPROVAL AND CONSENT TO PAR- TICIPATE Not applicable. Concerns or personal details were not included in the current investigation. 9.2 CONSENT FOR PUBLICATION The document doesn‘t contain any recordings, inter- views, or other personally identifiable information. Thus, giving agreement for topics of a personal nature is not appropriate. 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