Effects of Mulching Materials on the Growth and Yield of Peanuts Cultivated in Coastal Areas of Thanh Hoa Province

Abstract

Mulches have been widely applied in crop production in order to minimize water requirements, preserve soil moisture, and curb weed growth for higher yield and water use efficiency. This research aimed to assess the impact of organic mulches on peanut productivity in the coastal areas of Thanh Hoa province. The experiment was carried out during the 2019 spring growing season. A split pot design was used with two peanut cultivars (L14 & L23) as the main plots and five types of mulching materials (clear plastic, rice straw, sugarcane bagasse, water hyacinth, and bare soil) as the subplots. It was  revealed that rice straw exhibited a positive influence on the growth attributes and yield of peanuts, comparable to clear plastic and other organic mulch materials. Notably, rice straw contributed to enhanced plant growth, dry matter production, pod filling, and yield. Additionally, the net return of rice straw application was also the highest. The results suggested that organic mulching materials (rice straw and plant residues) can be effectively used for peanuts because of their availability and biodegradability as an eco-friendly agricultural practice.