Response of different types of mulching materials on growth, yield, weed and disease incidence of capsicum under high altitude rainfed agro-climatic conditions

Capsicum (Capsicum annum L.) commonly known as Bell pepper or Sweet pepper belongs to Solanaceae family and is native to Mexico. Sweet peppers differ from hot peppers in shape and size of the fruits, capsaicin content and usage. Sweet pepper fruits are a rich source of vitamin C, polyphones, chlorophylls, carotenoids, sugars, magnesium, calcium, potassium, phosphorus and iron. Covering or mulching the soil surface can reduce weed problems by preventing weed seed germination or by suppressing the growth of emerging seedlings. Mulch is a material that spread on the surface of soil for conserving moisture, reducing weed infestation on the surface of soil and near vegetation. It also reduces pest and disease incidence in crops. Keeping in view the nutritional as well as economic importance of capsicum, an experiment on “Effect of different types of mulching materials on growth, yield, weed and disease incidence of capsicum under high altitude rainfed agro-climatic conditions was carried out at experimental field of Mountain Agriculture Research & Extension Station Gurez, SKUAST-K during Kharif 2020 with six treatments (Control- Un-mulched, Black polyethylene, Transparent polyethylene, White polyethylene, Forest litter and Grass to find out the response of mulching on growth, yield, weed and disease incidence of capsicum under high altitude rainfed agro-climatic conditions. Among the treatments studied, significantly highest plant height (52.00 cm), number of branches per plant (8.00), number of fruits per plant (18.00), yield per hectare (20.60 tonnes), weed incidence (4.66 %) and disease incidence (5%) were noticed with black polyethylene mulch.