Impact of Mulching on Yield, Quality, and Nutrient Content in Fruit Crops: A Review

Mulching is the practice of covering the soil around plants with organic or inorganic materials. It has become a key method for producing sustainable, high-quality fruits. Fruit crops, often grown in perennial systems, are affected by soil moisture, temperature changes, and weed competition. Mulching helps control these factors. Organic mulches such as straw, compost, crop residues, and tree leaves improve soil structure, enhance aeration, and boost long-term fertility through gradual decomposition and nutrient recycling. They encourage microbial activity, support carbon storage, and increase soil biodiversity, which improves soil health. Inorganic mulches, such as polyethylene films, reduce water loss, suppress weed growth, regulate soil temperature, and keep fruit surfaces cleaner. Mulching lowers water stress, promotes root growth, and improves nutrient use, leading to higher yields and better fruit size, colour, and marketability. It also decreases soil erosion, lessens the impact of heavy rains, and helps manage certain pests and diseases by creating conditions that are less favourable for their growth. By conserving water and lowering reliance on chemical inputs, mulching supports environmentally friendly and resource-efficient farming methods. For perennial orchards and regions vulnerable to climate change, choosing the right type and thickness of mulch is crucial. The use of inorganic mulches can lead to soil contamination and microplastic build-up, which pose long-term threats to soil health and the ecosystem, and certain organic materials might release allelopathic substances or temporarily sequester nutrients during their breakdown, limiting nutrient availability for plants. It must balance moisture retention with aeration and minimize risks such as attracting rodents or causing allelopathy. When combined with sound orchard management, mulching significantly enhances climate resilience, reduces costs, and ensures consistent production of high-quality fruits. In this way, mulching is an effective, practical, and sustainable approach to boosting productivity, profitability, and environmental care in modern fruit farming.