An investigation on the effect of soil solarization on soil temperature and soil moisture conservation

Soil solarization has been studied in numerous tropical nations. In tropical regions, there has been a significant increase in agricultural mulching. However, investigation on soil solarization in the Indian tropical region is yet to be explored. Hence, the effect of soil solarization on soil temperature and soil moisture conservation is investigated. Different mulching materials show other effects on soil temperature and soil moisture. In soil solarization, different colored plastic mulches were black, silver, and transparent, increasing soil moisture during solarization. Soil temperature was recorded twice daily at a depth of 5 cm, and 15 cm was higher in covered plots than in the without covers plot, i.e., control at 7:20 am and 2:30 pm. Black-colored polythene mulch has significantly increased soil temperature compared to all other soil solarization treatments. The different soil solarization treatment, which was increases in soil temperature as a result of covering, amounted to 2 to 4 °C for 5 cm, 2 to 5 °C for 15 cm at 7:20 am, 4 to 8 °C for 5 cm, and 3 to 7 for 15 cm at 2:30 pm compared to non-mulched plot, i.e., control. Using straw mulch soil temperature also decreases soil temperature to − 1.4 °C for 5 cm, − 1.9 °C for 15 cm at 7:20 am, − 3 °C for 5 cm, and − 1.9 °C for 15 cm at 2:30 pm compared to non-mulched plot. Mulches prevent water evaporation while retaining soil moisture.