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WATER RETENTION RATIOS OF MULCHING MATERIAL CONSISTING PRIMARILY OF PINE BARK OVER DIFFERENT SOIL TYPES

ZEKI DEMİR^*, OKTAY YILDIZ AND BÜLENT TOPRAK

Abstract: Study was carried out in the Turkish province of Düzce to compare the water absorption ratios of a mulching material, formed using different mixtures of tree bark materials. Soils compounded from clay, turf and sandy materials were laid in 1m by 1m experimental plots within a thickness of 10 cm, and then, soil surfaces in each plot was blanketed with a mulching material containing Corsican pine bark (Pinus nigra Arnold) in 5 cm and 8 cm. thickness settings: Furthermore, application was repeated with and without the possibility of a plant species presence. Experimental plots were watered every three days; 15 liters per plot using a colander. After 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours of watering, the first 10 cm up to the soil surface underneath the mulching material, was sampled to determine the weighing percentages of the internal moisture levels.  A statistically significant relation was established between the thickness of the mulching material and the site in terms of the soil moisture levels (P= 0.0001). Turf sheeted with an 8 cm mulching material kept the highest water absorption capacity 12 hours after watering, as opposed to the least water absorption capacity of sandy soil without a mulch cover. This ratio between the above mentioned comparisons was raised to 174 %, 24 hours after watering. However, moisture content of the sandy soil without mulching cover disappeared upto 90 % compared to that of turf with an 8 cm mulching material, over the period of 3 days after watering. Accordingly, the site with turf shielded by an 8 cm mulching material performed approximately two times better in terms of moisture absorption, compared to sandy soil with an 8 cm turf cover. Moisture was easily drained due to large pores inside the sandy soil if the mulching material was absent. Mulching, three days after watering, positively affected and increased the water absorption up to four times better. 

Faculty of Forestry, Düzce University, Konuralp, Düzce, Turkey