Influence of Mulching and Some Micro-nutrients Usage on Soil Temperature, Soil Moisture, Growth and Cowpea Yield

Mulching process can help to improve some soil properties and yield of vegetables crops. Field studies were conducted over two seasons 2006/2007 under Nile Delta conditions in Egypt to evaluate the effect of different mulching materials and micro-nutrients on soil temperature, soil moisture content, water efficiencies, growth and yield of cowpea. All treatments plots were irrigated using furrow irrigation system. Soil temperatures were measured at different depths and throughout the experiment at work. The results showed that there was more increases in soil temperature under blue polyethylene than under others treatments. The recorded soil surface temperature was lowest under rice straw. The soil moisture content increased under colorless polyethylene more than others treatments. Spraying cowpea with high concentration of Fe, Zn and Mn (600 ppm) improved growth and yield. The highest value of cowpea seed yield was 2.83 Mg/ha under both colorless polyethylene and rice straw treatments. Using mulching with rice straw or colorless polyethylene suggested for enhancing soil structure, water management, growth and cowpea yield components as indicated in this work. Fortunately, the rice straw is available and very cheap.