Mulching also has a positive effect on reducing soil erosion. In this agrotechnical practice the soil is covered with various plant residues – straw, corn stalks, sunflower, tobacco, cotton and others. Straw after the harvest of winter cereals can be crushed and left on the soil surface.

The soil protective action of mulch is expressed in several ways: it protects the soil from the destructive action of raindrops; reduces surface water runoff and increases the absorption of water into the soil, protects it from evaporation and helps to preserve the organic matter in it.