Which term describes any material spread on the soil surface to protect soil and roots from water loss and heat?

Which term describes any material spread on the soil surface to protect soil and roots from water loss and heat?

• A. Mulch
• B. Compost
• C. Topsoil
• D. Mulch film

Answer: (A)

Mulch describes any material spread on the soil surface to protect soil and roots from water loss and heat. It acts as a blanket over the soil, reducing evaporation and moderating temperature so the root zone stays cooler in heat and retains moisture during dry periods. Organic mulches like straw, bark, leaves, or compost also add organic matter as they decompose, while inorganic mulches such as plastic or gravel provide moisture retention and weed suppression without supplying nutrients. Compost is mainly a soil amendment that improves fertility, topsoil is the soil layer itself, and mulch film is a specific type of mulch (plastic mulch). The general term for the protective surface layer is mulch.

Mulch describes any material spread on the soil surface to protect soil and roots from water loss and heat. It acts as a blanket over the soil, reducing evaporation and moderating temperature so the root zone stays cooler in heat and retains moisture during dry periods. Organic mulches like straw, bark, leaves, or compost also add organic matter as they decompose, while inorganic mulches such as plastic or gravel provide moisture retention and weed suppression without supplying nutrients. Compost is mainly a soil amendment that improves fertility, topsoil is the soil layer itself, and mulch film is a specific type of mulch (plastic mulch). The general term for the protective surface layer is mulch.