Mulching: Boosting crop productivity and improving soil environment in herbal plants

[Display omitted] •Mulch is a water saving technique alters the physico-chemical properties of soil.•Mulching is applicable to most field crops.•Plastic mulches are promising alternative to increase the productivity of crops.•Addressing whether organic mulch affect soils differently than plastic mulches.•Use of mulch provides much-needed information to growers and industrialist. Over the years, an increase in global temperature due to climate change, affects energy consumptions and water, especially in dryland areas. Increasing demand for herbal products in the market required a substantial increment in the productivity of herbal plants due to its habitat loss. In semiarid and rainfed areas where the water is scanty, an increase in the incorporation of different types of mulch over the surface of the soil is the key to meet the increasing demand for herbs. Previous studies revealed that using organic and inorganic mulch over the soil surface significantly decreased the evaporation rate, increased moisture content and soil temperature, reduces soil erosion, suppresses weed growth, and alters physico-chemical and biological properties of the soil. The collected information of this review described the role of different mulches in altering the soil environment, growth, yield, and quality of herbal plants. Among mulches, inorganic mulches are proved to be beneficial in the context of soil environment and growth and productivity of herbal plants as compared to organic mulches. On the other hand, organic mulches are inexpensive, affordable, easily available, and are eco-friendly. The installation of appropriate mulching is necessary to cover the soil surface, depending on the climatic conditions, crop type, and management practices to increase the output of the production. Future research is essential to study the effect of organic mulches on microclimatic modification, physiological aspects, and quality of product and its economics. Therefore, there is a requirement for more research to understand the mechanism responsible for the observed aspects. Thus, in this review article, an attempt was made to collect information on the role of mulch to soil environment and herbal plant production.