Mulching effects on transpiration of a nectarine orchard

• Mulching systems are becoming important in the modern fruit orchard cropping systems.• In climates of high evaporative demand, mulches are used to reduce evaporation losses from the soil surfaces. Other possible benefits are acceleration of crop development by increasing soil temperature, erosion prevention and herbicide reduction among others aiming to Integrated Fruit Production.• Previous studies on horticultural crops have shown an increase of transpiration rates under different mulching systems. To our knowledge, no much work have been reported on the effect of mulching on transpiration rates of fruit orchards