Effects of Different Mulching Methods on Soil Agro-Physical

Characteristics and Cotton Yield

Shavkat Akhmurzaev

, Sokhib Islamov

, Baxram Azizov

, Gulistan Abdalova

and Sherzod Hikmatov

Tashkent State Agrarian University, 100140, University str. 2, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Keywords: Cotton Mulching, Soil Properties, Yield Improvement.

Abstract: In world cotton cultivation, in addition to fundamental practices for saving and improving soil fertility,

improving water-physical characteristics (soil tillage, fertilization, and crop rotation and others), various

mulching methods and technologies are being utilized to enhance soil characteristics. In Uzbekistan, the

effectiveness of mulching with polyethylene film, coal dust, K-4 polymer, petroleum residues, and oil-

impregnated black paper has been studied. These experiments are aimed at improving the soil layer,

conserving water, improving the efficiency of applied fertilizers, and enhancing the water-physical state of

soil, which are considered urgent issues of today

1 INTRODUCTION

Among the most important water-physical

characteristics of soil, especially for cotton

germination, are soil moisture, soil temperature,

porosity, bulk density, and water permeability.

According to S.N. Rijov, the lower limit of soil

moisture during cotton sowing should be no less than

17.0% for clayey soils, 15.0% for heavy sandy soils,

13.0% for medium sandy soils, 11.0% for light sandy

soils, and 9.0% for sandy soils. Excessive soil

moisture at the time of sowing can lead to seed rot.

According to S.K.Isaev, mulching with

polyethylene films increases soil moisture by 2.7-

4.8%.

Soil temperature is a crucial factor in the growth

of plants, significantly affecting seed germination,

growth, and development. Low soil temperatures can

cause seed rot due to excess moisture, while high

temperatures can lead to dryness due to insufficient

moisture.

Experiments conducted by B.I.Niyazaliev in typical

sierozem soil conditions showed that using manure (2

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8593-1450

https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2669-0973

https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9132-9459

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8593-1450

t/ha) as mulch increased soil temperature by 0.5°C in

the 0-5 cm layer (Akhmurzaev, 2018; Ryzhov, 1957;

Isaev, 2002).

Figure 1: Effect of mulching methods on soil temperature.

2 MATERIALS AND METHODS

Field experiments were conducted in the conditions

of typical sierozem soils of Tashkent province. In the

experiment, depilated cotton seeds of the medium

Akhmurzaev, S., Islamov, S., Azizov, B., Abdalova, G. and Hikmatov, S.

Effects of Different Mulching Methods on Soil Agro-Physical Characteristics and Cotton Yield.

DOI: 10.5220/0014261400004738

Paper published under CC license (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

In Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Research of Agricultural and Food Technologies (I-CRAFT 2024), pages 269-273

ISBN: 978-989-758-773-3; ISSN: 3051-7710

269

fiber Namangan-77 variety were sown in the 90x10-

1 scheme.

The following norms and types of mineral

fertilizers were used in the experiments. N-200 kg/ha,

– 140 kg/ha, K

O – 100 kg/ha; ammonium

nitrate (N-34%), ammophos (N-12, P

– 46%),

potassium chloride (K

O-56%).

Mulch materials: transparent film 50,0 kg per

hectare, black film 50,0 kg, rice husk 8-10 t/ha, wheat

straw - 8-10 t/ha, SAG pereparation-1,0 and MT

pereparation-20 kg/ha was used.

Calculations were carried out during phenological

observations in June, July, August and early

September. The methods written in the book

“Methods of field and vegetation experiments with

cotton under irrigation conditions”, “Methods of

conducting field experiments”, agrochemical and

agro-physical characteristics of the soil “Methods of

agrochemical and agro-physical analysis of soils and

plants of Central Asia” were used for conducting

phenological observations.

In our conducted experiments, where has shown

that mulching with different materials (black and

white polyethylene films; wheat straw and rice husks;

polymers like SAG and MT preparations) positively

impacts soil moisture and temperature (Niyozaliev,

1987;Allanov et al., 2009).

3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

According to the data, on the day of cotton sowing,

soil moisture and temperature in the 0-5, 5-10, and

10-20 cm layers were almost the same in all variants.

After 6 days, when the cotton seeds were just

beginning to germinate, it was found that in the

control variant, soil moisture were 14.0%, 16.0%, and

17.0% in the respective layers, in contrast, when used

transparent film in second variant, these indicators

were determined 1.0%, 1.9%, and 1.0% higher.

The variant with black film utilized soil moisture

was 0.9%, 0.6%, and 0.4% higher during this period.

The increase in moisture with transparent film was

closer to that of black film, indicating that the

difference between them was minimal and had little

significance for the development of the plant roots or

above-ground parts.

In the variants where mulching was done with rice

husks and wheat straw, soil moisture in the layers

were 14.8% 14.7%, 16.2%-16.2%, and 17.4%-17.3%,

respectively. These were 0.8%-0.7%, 0.2%-0.2%,

and 0.4%-0.3% higher compared to the control.

However, these indicators were 0.1%-0.2%, 1.7%-

1.8%, and 0.6%-1.0% lower than those in the

polyethylene film variants.

In the variant using the SAG polymer preparation,

soil moisture was 15.2%, 16.4%, and 17.8%, with

similar results observed with the MT polymer

preparation.

12 days after sow, the moisture was 12.9%,

13.2%, and 14.0% in the 0-5, 5-10, and 10-20 cm

layers (compared to dry soil), respectively. In

mulched variants, the moisture levels were higher.

Particularly, the variant mulched with transparent

film showed 2.0% higher moisture compared to the

control and 0.1%-1.1% higher compared to the

experimental variants.

If we classify the mulching materials based on

their effect on soil moisture, polyethylene films (both

transparent and black) take the first position, followed

by polymers (SAG and MT preparations), and finally

plant residues like rice husks and wheat straw.

According to the observations, it was found that

there is a significant difference in the temperature

change of the soil temperature of the mulch materials.

In the control option, the average soil temperature on

the day of sowing the seeds in the 0-10 cm layer of

the soil was 13.0

C, and in all options (2-7 var) where

mulching methods were used, similar indicators were

obtained. This situation indicates that the mulch

material has no effect on the soil temperature.

However, after 6 days, it was found that the soil

temperature increased not only in the studied options,

but also in the control. This is definitely related to the

increase in air temperature.

On the 6th day of research, in the control variant,

the temperature in the 0-10 cm layers of the soil was

on average 15

C, or it was observed that it increased

by 2

C from the day of sowing.

In option (2) where a transparent film was used,

the average soil temperature was 21.2

C, which was

6.2

C higher than the control. When black film was

used, these indicators were slightly lower and equaled

19.6

C. The temperature of the soil increased towards

the research period, and after 12 days after sowing the

seed, the temperature in the above variants was on

average 24.8 and 23.3

С.

I-CRAFT 2024 - 4th International Conference on Research of Agricultural and Food Technologies

270

Table 1: Effects of applied mulch materials on cotton growth and development.

In options (4-5) where rice husks and wheat straw

were used as mulch, the average temperature was

20.8-18.8

C 12 days after sowing. These indicators

were 5.2-2.7

C higher than those of the control

variant, but 6.0-4.0

C lower than those of the film

variants.

On the 12th day, the soil temperature was 20.4 0C

in the case of the SAG preparation, and 22.5

C or 2.3

and 4.4 0C higher when the MT preparation was used.

It was found that in the options using polymer

preparations (SAG and MT), all indicators were

slightly lower than those in the options using

polyethylene films, and higher than those in plant

residues.

First of all, it is worth saying that the rate of

germination of cotton seedlings depends on soil

temperature, moisture level and other physical

properties. The earlier the seed is planted, the more

positive the effect of our applied mulch materials will

be.

In our observations, in the control variant, 6 days

after sowing the seeds, the seedlings were 5.4 pieces

or 28.3% sprouted per meter, when transparent and

black films were used as mulch, this indicator was 7.4

and 6.7 pieces or 38.9 and 35.4%. These indicators

are 2.0 and 1.7 units or 10.6 and 7.1% more than the

control. In the options using rice husk and wheat

straw, the germination of seedlings during this period

was 6.5-6.1 units or 34.3-32.1%, compared to the

control by 1.1-0.7 units or 6.0-3.8 % more, but due to

the effect of polyethylene films; It was found to be

0.9; 0.2-1.3; 0.6 units i.e. 4.6; 1.1-6.8; 2.2% less. In

the options where SAG and MT preparations from

polymers were used, seed germination at 1 p/meter

was 6.3 and 6.7 grains, 33.4 and 35.6%. These

indicators are 1-3% higher than the effect of plant

residues, but 3-4% less than polyethylene films.

On the 10th day of research, 12.4-65.4% sprouts

sprouted per 1 p/meter in the control option, while in

the options with transparent and black films, these

indicators were happened 15.4-15.2 and 81.3-80.5%.

15.9 and 14.9% more germination of cotton

seedlings was observed under the influence of

polyethylene films compared to the control. It should

be noted that the effects of transparent and black films

on the germination rate of seedlings were found to be

close to each other.

In variants using rice husk and wheat straw as

mulch, these indicators were 15.0-14.8 units and

79.2-78.1%, compared to the control by 2.6-2.4 units

or 13.8-12.7 % more, but compared to polyethylene

films, they were 0.4-0.2 and 0.6; 0.4 pieces or 2.1;

1.1; 0.6; 0.4% less.

The variants using polymers (SAG and MT)

obtained data slightly lower than the aforementioned

polyethylene films, but higher than the effects of plant

residues. After 12 days after sowing, 99.0% of

seedlings emerged in control and 100.0% in all other

variants.

So, it was determined that the effect of mulch

materials on the germination of cotton seedlings

depends primarily on weather (soil) temperature, soil

Number

of options

Experimental Variants

Main stem

height, cm

Number of

productive

ranches,

Number of bolls,

pcs

Including

opened ones,

1.08 1.08 1.08 1.09 1.09

1 Control

(

no mulchin

)

90,7 10,4 8,1 8,4 22,5

Mulching with

trans

arent fil

103,5 13,0 9,4 10,9 45,4

Mulching with black

fil

101,2 12,1 9,3 9,5 43,2

Mulching with rice

husks

95,7 11,0 8,4 8,6 30,5

Mulching with wheat

straw

95,1 10,9 8,3 8,5 26,2

Mulching with SAG

reparation

94,3 11,0 8,5 8,7 26,5

Mulching with MT

reparation

97,4 11,3 8,7 9,1 34,9

Effects of Different Mulching Methods on Soil Agro-Physical Characteristics and Cotton Yield

271

moisture and other physical properties, as well as on

the timing of seeding.

All applied mulch materials generally had a

positive effect on the water-physical properties of the

soil, as a result of which it was observed that cotton

growth was higher than the control.

According to the data of August 1 observations,

the height of the cotton main stem in the control was

90.7 cm, 10.4 branches, the number of bolls on

September 1 was 8.4, including 22.5% of the opened

ones. In the case where a transparent film was used,

these indicators were proportionally 103.5 cm, 13.0;

10.9 pieces and equal to 45.4%, compared to the

control, 12.8 cm; 2.6 and 2.5 pieces and 22.9% more.

In the variant where black film was used as mulch,

the height of the main stem was 101.2 cm, the number

of productive branches was 12.1, and the number of

bolls was 9.5, and the opened ones were 43.2%. These

indicators were proportionally 11.5 cm, 1.7 and 1.1

grains and 20.7% more, but 2.3 cm, 0.9 and 1.4 grains

and 2.2% less than the indicators of transparent film.

It should be noted that because the transparent

film transmitted light directly to the surface of the

soil, the temperature of the soil was slightly higher

under its influence than that of the black film. As a

result, sprout germination was accelerated and it was

found that it had a favorable effect on the

development of cotton.

In the option (4) where rice husk was used from plant

residues, the above indicators were proportionally

95.7 cm, 11.0 and 8.6 pieces and 30.5 %. These

numbers are 5.0 cm, 0.6 and 0.2 and 8.0% higher than

the control, and were lower than the indicators of the

polyethylene films, especially the number of open

bolls was 14.9% and 12.7%. The parameters of the

variant using rice husk were 0.6 cm, 0.1 and 0.1 grains

and 4.3% higher than those of wheat straw. In other

words, the effect of plant residues on the growth and

development of cotton was almost the same.

Among the used polymers, it was found that the

effect of the MT preparation on the growth and

development of cotton was better than that of the

SAG preparation. In this case, in the variant where

MT was used, the height of the main stem was 97.4

cm on August 1, the yield branches were 11.3, and the

number of bolls (on September 1) was 9.1, including

34.9% of the opened ones, SAG preparation

indicators are proportionally less than these by 3.1

cm, 0.3 and 0.4 units and 8.4%.

Therefore, regardless of the types of mulch

materials used, it was found that cotton has a positive

effect on growth and development. Better results

were obtained when polyethylene films (transparent

and black) were used, followed by polymers and

finally when plant residues were used.

Thus, it is necessary to use mulching methods to

grow cotton crop in early and higher periods than

cotton. In order to increase their effectiveness, it is

necessary to sow the seed earlier.

The effectiveness of any agronomic practice used

in experiments is evaluated by its effect on cotton

yield. In addition, the main goal of all scientific

research is focused on early and high-quality

cultivation of the cotton crop. Therefore, in our

experiments, the effect of mulching methods on

cotton yield was determined depending on the period

of seed planting.

According to the results of the observations, the

average cotton yield in the control option was 26.9

c/ha in 3 years. In the case of using a transparent film,

this indicator was equal to 32.8 c/ha, and an average

of 5.9 c/ha additional cotton yield was obtained

compared to the control. Under the effect of the black

film, the additional cotton yield was 4.0 c/ha, which

was 1.9 c/ha less than the indicator of the transparent

film. The average yield of cotton under the influence

of rice husk was 28.8 c/ha and when wheat straw was

applied, it was 28.7 c/ha. These indicators were

certainly less than the effect of polyethylene films.

The average cotton yield was 28.9 c/ha in three

years in which SAG preparation was used from

polymers, and 2.0 c/ha additional yield was obtained

from the control. Under the influence of the

preparation MT, these indicators were equal to 29.9

and 3.0 c/ha. Therefore, 1.0 c/ha additional yield of

polymers was obtained under the influence of MT

preparation compared to SAG preparation.

Due to the increase in soil temperature and

humidity due to the effect of polyethylene films,

cotton sprouts were completely recovered and

optimal conditions for their growth were created. 1.9

and 1.1 c/ha less cotton yield was obtained due to

black film compared to transparent film. This

condition can be attributed to the fact that soil

moisture increases under the influence of a black film,

but its temperature is lower than that of a transparent

one. Similar data were obtained from plant residues

(rice husk and wheat straw).

It was determined that the cotton yield obtained

from these effects is economically preferable, even if

it is less than others.

A relatively high yield of cotton was obtained

from polymers under the influence of the MT

preparation, and the additional yield was 3.0 c/ha. The

next one is taken by the preparation SAG.

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272

4 CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, all the used mulching materials had an

acceptable effect on increasing the cotton yield,

besides, they are resource-saving factors in

maintaining soil fertility and moisture.

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Akhmurzaev, Sh.I., 2018. Effect of mulching methods and

date on growth, development and yield of cotton. (in

conditions of meadow alluvial soils of Tashkent

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Ryzhov, S.N., 1957. Irrigation regime and technique for

watering cotton. - Tashkent: Academy of Sciences of

the UzSSR, 32-38.

Isaev, S.Kh., 2002. Salt, nutrient dynamics and film harvest

time in a cotton field maintained under transparent

polyethylene film. Candidate of Agricultural Sciences.

Dis.- Tashkent, p. 160.

Niyozaliev, B.I., 1987. Efficiency of a new method of

mulching cotton crops: Candidate of Agricultural

Sciences. Dis. - Tashkent: SoyuzNIXI, p. 128.

Allanov, Kh., Sheraliev, Kh., Ulugov, Ch., Ahmurzayev,

Sh., Sottorov, O., Khaitov, B., & Park, K.W., 2019.

Integrated Effects of Mulching Treatment and Nitrogen

Fertilization on Cotton Performance under Dryland

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