Effect of mulches on soil moisture and temperature in pomegranate

Effect of different mulches (black polythene, banana trash and saw dust) on soil temperature and soil moisture in pomegranate was studied. In general, soil covering with black polythene showed beneficial effect in reducing the soil temperature. Banana trash and saw dust also influenced the soil temperature to a lesser extent as compared to control. The variation in soil moisture at 25 cm below the mulch was significant in the months of November, December, January, February, March and June. A significant variation in soil moisture percentage (50 cm below the mulch) in the months of November, December, January, February and June was recorded due to different soil covering treatments.