Effect Of Mulching On Soil Physico-Chemical Properties Of Soil Under Semiarid Of Rain Fed Fersiallitic Soil Condition In Eastern Of Rwanda

Mulches provide essential soil environment and economic benefits. Unfortunately, this study has not been done much under different local conditions. This study was carried out to determine the effect of various mulches application on some soil physico-chemical properties of fersiallitic soil in semiarid ecosystem, eastern of Rwanda. A control (no mulch) was also included in the experiment. The findings for soil indicated the higher organic matter for rice straw than control, the highest PH of 7.6 for rice straw and 6.0 for control, there was a positive variation in EC across the depth from control to mulched land. The highest and the lowest values for soil moisture content obtained were 39.25% under rice straw and 25.01% for the control respectively and the obtained results showed that straws and grass conserved moisture at root zone level; there was a change in soil BD, porosity for mulched land from control. For moisture conservation rice and beans straw may be recommended.