The Role of the Mulch Layer in the Success of No-Till Technology

摘要

Water is the key element in the success of the no-tillage system. We have researched the water lose in conventional, no-till with and without mulch layer in vegetation vessels and we have found that the upper layer in notill without mulch layer system conducted to lose of much more water which results in poorer plant development. We have considered that the mulch layer prevents the water lose and improve the better root growing and plant developing. The conventional tillage as well as the minimum tillage helps creating an upper layer with larger pores which slow the water loses, too. Better results of minimal tillage can also be explained by better water keeping due to the loosened upper 5-7 cm of soil. Our conclusion is to manage the residue layer by thickness and composition in order to reduce water loss which results in better root growing, plant development and better yield than conventional system, in high evaporative climates.