Mulch product

Mulching Products - Requirements and Test Methods AENOR, La Plaine Saint-Denis Cedex, Prance 2005. 

In contrast, composting processes utilize a mixture of solids and yard waste under controlled environmental conditions to produce a disinfected, humus-like product. Three common composting systems are a horizontal agitated reactor, a horizontal nonagitated reactor, and an aerated static pile system (nonproprietary). Compost can be marketed as a soil conditioner in competition with such products as peat, soil, and mulch. Although a large potential market exists, significant effort is required to penetrate this market. Yard waste revenue of 6.50/m (S5/yd ) and product revenue of 2.00/m ( 1.50/yd ) appear to be reasonable market values based on various studies reported on the Web. 

Chellemi DO, Rhoads FM, Olson SM, Rich JR, Murray D, Murray G, Sylvia DM (1999) An alternative, low-input production system for fresh market tomatoes. Am J Altem Agric 14 59-68 Chen Y, Katan J (1980) Effect of solar heating of soils by transparent poliethilene mulching on their chemical properties. Soil Sci 130 271-277... 

Lamont WJ Jr (1993) Plastic mulches for the production of vegetable crops. HortTecnology 3 35-39... 

Schonbeck MW, Evanylo GK (1998) Effects of mulches on soil properties and tomato production, soil temperature, soil moisture and marketable yield. J Sustain Agric 13 55-81. doi 10.1300/ J064vl3n01 06... 

Living mulches in perennial cropping systems are grasses or legumes planted in the alleyways between rows in orchards and vineyards. Use of the living mulch is a common practice in apple (Malus sylvestris L.) production. Wick and Alleweldt... 

Yu JQ, Masui YH (1997) Effects of root exudates of cucumber and allelochemicals onion uptake by cucumber seedling. J Chem Ecol 23 817-827 Zemenchik RA, Albrecht KA, Boerboom CM, Lauer JG (2000) Com production with kura clover as a living mulch. Agron J 92 698-705... 

Leaf mold can generally be used as a low-fertility soil improver (seepp.34-35) and a moisture-retaining mulch after one year. It should be darker and more crumbly than the newly fallen leaves, but does not have to be fully rotted. For a finer product, for use in seed and potting mixes or as a topdressing for... 

Leave for three months if from an organic source, otherwise six months to allow for any unwanted pollutants to break down. If based on a bedding material of wood shavings rather than straw, at least a year will be needed, and even then the end product is best used only as a mulch. 

Composted bark products make an attractive, dark-colored mulch. Use on perennial beds only. 

You can use your own shreddings or buy in bagged products. Apply mulches thickly to damp soil in late spring when it has had a chance to warm up. Apply hay and straw up to 4 in (10 cm) deep and shreddings 2 in (5 cm) deep, keeping a clear area of about 6 in (15 cm) diameter around tree trunks and the base of plants. 

Conservation agroecosystems developed in the Great Plains of the U.S. to control soil erosion are characterized by the presence of varying quantities of plant residues on the soil surface. This residue mulch protects the soil from the erosive forces of wind and water, resulting in improved stream water quality and soil conservation. Conservation tillage systems also help maintain soil productivity and reduce energy requirements of crop production (15). However, crop yield reduction has been observed with conservation wheat production in some areas of the U.S. (16-18) and with rice culture in the Far East (, 20). 

In the following spring or summer, overwintering cover crops could then be used as a high-residue mulch for production of organic no-till or reduced-till cash crops. 

In summary, organic no-till systems are recommended only where high-residue cover crops can be grown and managed properly, and when productivity of cash crops is favourably affected by root and shoot biomass (surface residue mulch) of the cover crops. Research and grower experience have shown that organic no-till systems are most likely to succeed ... 

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