Effect of mulching and planting density on production of sweet banana pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

Abstract

The present experiment was carried out at Dr Y S Parmer University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP) during Kharif 2019 to study the effect of mulching and planting density on production of Sweet Banana pepper in mid hills of Himachal Pradesh. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (Factorial) with three replications. The twelve treatment combinations comprised of combination of four different mulches (M) viz., no mulch (M0), pine needle mulch (M1) black-plastic mulch (M2), silver-black plastic mulch (M3) with three planting densities (P) viz., 60 cm×60 cm (P1) 60 cm×45 cm (P2) and 60 cm×30 cm (P3). The observations were recorded on growth yield and quality traits, fruit rot incidence (%), weed count, fresh and dry weight of weeds, soil moisture and temperature. The treatment combination silver-black plastic mulch with plant spacing of 60 cm×30 cm (M3P3) was found superior over all other treatment combinations for most of the growth and yield parameters, quality traits, fruit rot incidence and weed control as well as performed well in improving soil moisture and temperature. This treatment combination also had maximum benefit: cost ratio of 4.21:1. Hence silver-black mulch in combination with 60 cm×30 cm spacing can be recommended for commercial cultivation of Sweet Banana pepper in North Western Himalayan regions after multi-locational testing.