Comparison of different mulching options for improving water productivity and maize yield in a semi-arid climate, Northern Ethiopia, Tigray

Abstract This study compared the effectiveness of organic and inorganic mulching options for improving soil moisture content (SMC), water productivity (WP), and maize yield. The objectives of the study were to (a) investigate the effects of organic and inorganic mulches on SMC and water productivity, (b) quantify maize yield improvements due to the application of organic and inorganic mulches. The experiment was set up with a randomized complete block design with four treatments, namely black plastic mulch (BPM), white plastic mulch (WPM), flax straw mulch (FSM), and a control. The result indicated that WPM, BPM, and FSM increased maize yield by 66.1, 47.0, and 1.9% compared to the control. The net returns with the application of WPM, BPM and FSM were 1459.0, 1119.6, and 847.1 USD/hectare, respectively. Similarly, WPM, BPM, and FSM increased WP by 184.5, 127.6, and 39.4%, respectively. SMC was also increased by 16, 10.8, and 3.5% by WPM, BPM, and FSM, respectively. Inorganic mulches had a significant effect on WP and maize yield. On the other hand, FSM did not have any significant effect on WP and maize yield. The findings of this study indicated that inorganic mulches are useful for improving WP and maize yield. It is therefore necessary to apply inorganic mulches to improve WP and maximize maize yield in areas with a semi-arid climate such as northern Ethiopia.