Abstract:
We investigated the effect of point of mulch placem
ent and use of leaf mulches from plants inoculated
with rhizobia on
growth, nitrogen concentration and content of barle
y, and soil nitrate and pH changes. Mulches placed
on soil surface
enhanced barley heights and vegetative biomass in a
ll leaf types used. However, nitrogen concentratio
n was relatively
higher in both barley vegetative plants and ears of
barley grown in mixed mulches of both inoculated a
nd uninoculated
leaves. Mixing mulch types with soil caused a quick
nitrate release within the first four weeks, which
sharply dropped
before week 6. Placing mulches on the soil surface
resulted to a gradual nitrate release over the stud
y period. Further,
soil pH in all mulch treatments decreased within th
e first four weeks. Results from this study indicat
ed that point of
mulch placement was more effective than rhizobia in
oculation of mulch on barley growth, nitrogen conce
ntration and
content, soil nitrate and pH changes. The results f
or nitrate levels revealed that it might be necessa
ry for farmers to
understand nitrogen requirements of crop so as to k
now where to place mulches. Results on pH revealed
that care
should be taken when mulching crops that are sensit
ive to small changes in pH.
