The effect of vegetal mulching on soil surface temperature in semiarid Brazil

Understanding the temporal and spatial dynamic of soil temperature is crucial for agriculture, since it affects soil evaporation and soil biological activity, influencing seed germination, root growth and absorption of water and nutrients by crops, and ultimately the runoff process. Mulching is one of the most applied soil and water conservation method for soil moisture and soil temperature variations control. This study aimed to investigate the influence of three different mulch types (dried elephant grass straw, dried cashew tree leaves and coconut powder or coir dust), applied with three area densities (2, 4 and 8 t ha⁻¹), on the soil surface temperature, under field conditions in the Brazilian semiarid region. Soil temperature monitoring was carried out using thermocouple sensors and an infrared camera in the Brazilian semiarid region. Results show that mulching provided a buffer zone, dampened soil temperature fluctuations over time, mainly for the 8 t ha⁻¹ density. Mulching reduced soil temperature during the hotter period of the day and increased soil temperature during the night period.