Abstract Intensification of crop production in Tonga has resulted in a move to mechanical soil preparation, often with a rotary hoe, and a consequent loss in both chemical physical fertility. An experiment was conducted on a clay loam soil (Typic Argiudoll) on the Forestry Vaini Research Station, Tongatapu Island, Tonga, to investigate the effect of a once‐off application of mulch on yield and quality of watermelon, maize and capsicum grown in rotation over a 1‐yr period. The treatments applied were a nonmulched control, transparent plastic and 200‐mm‐thick applications of locally available coconut sawdust, guinea grass and mature coconut fronds. The fresh fruit yield of watermelon in all the mulch treatments was 7.3–18.1% higher than in the nonmulched control. There was no significant effect of thick vegetative mulch on maize grain dry matter yield; however, the maize yield was significantly lower in the transparent plastic mulch than in the other treatments. The capsicum marketable fruit yield in the following crop was increased by 49–73% in all the vegetative mulch treatments compared to the non‐mulched control. The higher crop yields with the vegetative mulch were attributed to the measured lower soil temperatures and higher soil moisture in these treatments. There was no effect of mulch on soil total N ( TN ), but soil total C ( TC ), soil labile C ( LC ) and the carbon management index ( CMI ) were increased.

V. Manu

A. Whitbread

G. Blair

Soil Use and Management

土壤利用与管理在土壤科学、地球与环境科学、农业科学和工程领域出版。提交的论文应考虑影响土壤系统的自然和人为过程的基本机制，并应告知政策制定者和/或从业者有关可持续利用和管理土壤资源的信息。跨学科研究，例如将土壤与气候变化、生物多样性、全球健康和联合国可持续发展目标联系起来，具有强烈的新颖性、广泛的影响和意想不到的结果，受到欢迎。

The journal "Soil Use and Management" focuses on research in the fields of soil science, earth and environmental science, agricultural science, and engineering. Submitted papers should explore the fundamental mechanisms of natural and anthropogenic processes affecting soil systems and provide information to policymakers and practitioners regarding the sustainable use and management of soil resources. We particularly welcome interdisciplinary research that connects soil with climate change, biodiversity, global health, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, as such studies often exhibit novelty, broad impact, and unexpected outcomes.

《Soil Use and Management》期刊专注于土壤科学、地球与环境科学、农业科学和工程领域的研究。提交的论文应探讨影响土壤系统的自然和人为过程的基本机制，并为政策制定者和从业者提供关于可持续利用和管理土壤资源的信息。我们特别欢迎跨学科的研究，尤其是那些将土壤与气候变化、生物多样性、全球健康以及联合国可持续发展目标相结合的研究，这类研究往往具有新颖性、广泛的影响力和意想不到的结果。

Category	Quartile
农林科学	3
农林科学, 土壤科学	4

Mulch effect on successive crop yields and soil carbon in Tonga

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Journal Info

Category	Quartile
SOIL SCIENCE	1