Given below are two statements: Statement I: Organic mulches conserve soil moisture by reducing evaporation. Statement II: Only organic matters are used for mulching around the trees.

Correct option is C

The correct answer is (C) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect

Explanation:
• Statement I is correct: Organic mulches like straw, grass clippings, and bark chips create a physical barrier that significantly reduces the evaporation of water from the soil surface.
• Statement II is incorrect: While organic mulches are popular, they are not the only materials used. Inorganic mulches, such as plastic films (black, transparent, or silver), gravel, and geotextiles, are also extensively used in agriculture and landscaping.

Information Booster:
• Organic mulches eventually break down and add nutrients to the soil, whereas inorganic mulches are more permanent but do not improve soil fertility.
• Plastic mulching is widely used in commercial vegetable production to control weeds and precisely manage soil temperature and moisture.

Additional Knowledge:
• Synthetic mulches like polyethylene film are particularly effective in high-value crop production because they can be used to warm the soil earlier in the spring.
• Live mulches, such as low-growing cover crops, are another alternative to traditional organic or inorganic mulch materials.