Techniques and Practices of Soil Moisture Conservation (Use of Mulches, Kinds, Effectiveness, and Economics)

Mulches are used to conserve the moisture in the soil. Mulch refers to any covering material used on the surface of soil to prevent evaporation. Various types of mulches include mulching by straw and stubble, soil, chemical, plastic, pebbles, live mulching, and vertical mulching. Among all the mulches, soil mulch is the cheapest. Mulches influence soil properties by regulating temperature, preserving soil structure, reducing soil salinity problems, increasing the water content of the soil, and reducing soil erosion. However, anti-transpirants are used to prevent moisture loss from plants. There are four types of anti-transpirants viz., stomatal closing type, film forming type, leaf reflectant type, and growth retardant type that prevent loss of moisture from plants by their different actions. A number of soil and crop management techniques are used to manage soil and crop. Soil management techniques comprise leveling and bunding, water diversion bund, weed control, mulching, and tillage. Moreover, rainwater can be conserved by storing more of rainfall in root zone, by checking loss of water through evapotranspiration and by water harvesting.