Understory living grass mulch improves soil fertility, fruit yield and quality

Bare soils are highly vulnerable to degradation, prompting increased adoption of living grass mulch to enhance soil health and boost fruit yield and quality. This meta-analysis, based on 93 peer-reviewed studies, quantitatively assessed the impact of living grass mulch on soil properties, microbial communities, enzymatic activity, and fruit productivity. Results showed significant improvements in soil organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and moisture content, alongside increased bacterial and fungal abundance and elevated phosphatase and sucrase activities. The effectiveness of mulch varied depending on management factors such as grass type, source, tree age, and duration of cover. Additionally, living grass mulch positively influenced fruit yield, average fruit weight, and soluble sugar content. These findings demonstrate that understory grass cover enhances soil fertility and microbial diversity, contributing to improved fruit production and supporting sustainable agriculture in smallholder systems.

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