Production and efficiency of water usage in capsicum crops under notillage and conventional planting systems

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of no-tillage and conventional planting systems, and of weedmanagement strategies on water-usage efficiency in capsicum crops. The experiment was carried out at the Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido in Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, using a split-plot layout in a randomized block design with four replications. The tillage systems were evaluated in the plots, and three weed-management strategies evaluated in the subplots (soil cover with polyethylene film, and with and without weeds). The density and dry mass of the weeds, the commercial and total productivity, and the daily water consumption were all evaluated. It was found that the no-tillage system reduced the density and dry mass of the weeds in comparison to conventional systems, and the interference of these plants reduced commercial productivity under both planting systems. The strategy of weeds under a no-tillage system, despite a higher water consumption, showed a productivity and efficiency of water usage superior to those of the strategies of polyethylene film both under no-tillage and conventional systems, and of weeds under a conventional tillage system.