Tantray et al. (2026) Enhancing soil hydrothermal efficiency through spectral-selective mulching and drip irrigation in broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica L.)

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Identification

• Journal: BMC Plant Biology
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-09-04
• Authors: Adil Majeed Tantray, Owais Ahmad Bhat, Rohitashw Kumar, Zubair Ahmad Khan, Parshant Bakshi, Balbir Dhotra, Mohmmad Idrees Attar, Rizwan Yousuf, Zahid Nabi Sheikh, Fatimah Alshudukhi, Maqsood Ul Hussan, Bandar M. A. Al-Munqedhi, Manzer H. Siddiqui
• DOI: 10.1186/s12870-026-09860-5

Research Groups

• Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K)

Short Summary

This study evaluates the impact of various mulching materials on soil properties and broccoli yield, finding that silver plastic mulch optimizes productivity while organic mulch enhances soil health.

Objective

• To evaluate the effects of different mulching materials (control, white, black, silver plastic, and organic mulch) on soil temperature, soil moisture dynamics, growth, and yield of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica L.).

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Field scale (experimental farm of SKUAST-K).
• Temporal Scale: 2022 Rabi season.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: HYDRUS-1D (for simulating soil water content and heat transport).
• Data sources: Field observations from a randomized complete block design with three replications; soil measurements recorded at depths of 0.05 m, 0.10 m, and 0.15 m.

Main Results

• Silver plastic mulch: Achieved the highest total yield (52.80 t ha⁻¹), curd weight (791.99 g plant⁻¹), head diameter (17.97 cm), and soil moisture retention (30.61% at 0.15 m), with head initiation occurring at 25 days after transplanting.
• Black plastic mulch: Produced the highest soil temperature (24.67 °C at 0.05 m).
• Organic mulch: Resulted in the highest soil organic carbon (1.3%) and organic matter content (2.24%).
• Model Performance: HYDRUS-1D simulations showed strong agreement with observed data (R²: 0.8995–0.9445; RMSE: 0.718–1.161).

Contributions

• Identifies silver plastic mulch as the most effective treatment for enhancing broccoli yield and water use efficiency.
• Validates the reliability of the HYDRUS-1D model for simulating root water uptake and soil heat dynamics under diverse mulching conditions.

Funding

• Not specified

Citation

@article{Tantray2026Enhancing,
  author = {Tantray, Adil Majeed and Bhat, Owais Ahmad and Kumar, Rohitashw and Khan, Zubair Ahmad and Bakshi, Parshant and Dhotra, Balbir and Attar, Mohmmad Idrees and Yousuf, Rizwan and Sheikh, Zahid Nabi and Alshudukhi, Fatimah and Hussan, Maqsood Ul and Al-Munqedhi, Bandar M. A. and Siddiqui, Manzer H.},
  title = {Enhancing soil hydrothermal efficiency through spectral-selective mulching and drip irrigation in broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica L.)},
  journal = {BMC Plant Biology},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1186/s12870-026-09860-5},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-026-09860-5}
}