Effect of mulching with straw composts on soil properties of landscape

The objective of the research is to realizing the effects of mulching with different straw composts and thickness on landscape soil properties. The corn, wheat and coton straw composts were used as mulch with 3, 6 and 9 cm thick, to study the effects of landscape mulching with different straw composts and different thickness treatments on soil properties. The results showed that in the upper layer (0-10 cm) soil bulk density were reduced, the soil moisture, soil permeability were increased significantly with mulch of three straw composts. The ideal thickness was 6 cm for each straw compost if mulched for one year, and if mulched for two years, the 9 cm thick mulch of corn and wheat straw composts and 6 cm thick of cotton straw compost showed the best effect to soil properties. More than 96% of weed population were reduced with 6 cm mulch, and inhibition rate were 100% with 9 cm mulch. After one year’s mulching the soil organic matter and nutrients were increased significantly. More than 90% soil sediments in runoff water were reduced with the straw composts mulching. Soil temperature variation were less fluctuating with the straw composts mulching. Mulch with agricultural waste on landscape can save water, fertilizer and labor, accord with the demands of economical landscape building, and the ecological benefits are remarkable, so it is worth of promoting and application.