Mulching
Mulching is the practice of spreading mulch on the soil to reduce evaporation; control weeds; increase soil temperature in winter and decrease it in summer; reduce soil erosion and surface water runoff; reduce soil compaction; or enrich the soil. The main types of mulch used in banana plantations are plant residues from the banana crop, or other crops, and polyethylene mulch. A ‘living mulch’ is the use of a cover crop.