Mulching impact on plant growth and production of rainfed fig orchards under drought conditions

Field experiments were conducted in Estahban Fig Research Station in Iran from 2009 to 2010 in order to investigate the effects of five different organic mulches (wheat straw, maize straw, apple wood chips, almond shell and sawdust) and four different inorganic mulches (transparent plastic, plastic netting, volcanic rock and small stone) on soil temperature at the depths of 5 and 15 cm, soil moisture at the depths of 15, 30,45 and 60 cm, plant growth and yield of rainfed fig (Ficus carica cv. Sabz) orchards under drought conditions. Comparison of experimental results of trees on bare soil with trees on mulch-treated soil surfaces indicated that applying proper mulches had positive impacts on the number and width of leaves, length growth rate and diameter of shoots, and fruit quality. Considering the significantly positive results (P<0.05) and the availability of almond shell (AS) and wheat straw (WS) mulches in the region, these two materials are recommended to be used in Estahban fig orchards.