How do mulches help horticultural crops conserve moisture and control weeds?

Mulches play a vital role in managing soil conditions for horticultural and agricultural crops by protecting the surface and regulating moisture.

In systems known as mulch tillage, crop residues are left on the soil surface rather than being fully incorporated into the ground. This layer acts as a protective barrier that helps conserve moisture by reducing evaporation, which is particularly critical in dryland farming where maximizing the use of limited rainfall is essential.12

Regarding weed control, the primary mechanism involves physical management and competition. While mulch itself provides a cover that can suppress weed germination, secondary tillage tools—such as sweeps and rod weeders—are often used in conjunction with these systems to undercut and destroy weeds below the surface without disturbing the protective mulch layer. Additionally, in some regions, intercropping with crops like alfalfa or clover is used to provide long-term mulch cover, though farmers must manage these intercrops to ensure they do not compete with the main crop for essential moisture and nutrients.321