Soil mulching with plastic or straw can significantly increase maize and wheat yields, as well as water and nitrogen use efficiencies. A meta-analysis of 74 studies from 19 countries showed that mulching boosted yields by up to 60% compared to no mulching. Plastic mulching was more effective than straw mulching, especially at lower temperatures. The benefits of mulching decreased with higher water input levels. Overall, mulching can help bridge the gap between potential and actual crop yields, particularly in dryland and low-nutrient farming areas.