Soil Physicochemical Properties and Caper (Capparis spinosa L.) Growth in Response to Various Mulches

One of the sustainable and the most effective methods for controlling wind erosion is protecting the ground surface by mulching and vegetation cover. This study was done to assess the effect of organic and inorganic mulches and also compaction levels on soil properties and growth characteristics of caper plants, as one of the important shrubs to combat desertification in hot-humid areas. Results suggested that sugarcane bagasse and palm waste compost mulches significantly increased soil organic carbon (OC), nutrients (available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), and moisture, and decreased soil electrical conductivity (EC), pH, and temperature. Petroleum mulch increased soil penetration resistance (69.50 kPa) and temperature (25.50). Petroleum and cement-slag mulch, and also their combination (petroleum-cement mulch) decreased soil moisture to the minimum extent. For either compaction level, using petroleum mulch increases penetration resistance. Compaction decreased soil moisture by 0.96% and increased total neutralizing value (TNV) and bulk density (BD) by 1.52% and 0.31 g cm(-3), respectively. For either compaction level, soil porosity increased with the application of sugarcane bagasse mulch and palm waste compost. Using sugarcane bagasse mulch and palm waste compost increased stem length, leaf number, above ground and root weight, and shoot to root ratio of caper plant. Soil temperature (a = -0.70, R-2 = 55.70%, P <= 0.001), EC (a = -0.87, R-2 = 42.49%, P <= 0.001) and penetration resistance (a = -1.32, R-2 = 17.03%, P <= 0.01) decreased with increasing soil moisture. BD (a = -1.20, R-2 = 37.08%, P <= 0.001) decreased with increasing soil OC. Findings suggested the significant effect of organic mulches on improving some soil properties and growth characteristics of caper plants.