Effect of different weed control methods on weeds and yield of Chili (Capsicum annum L.)

Abstract

To study the effect of different weed control practices on weeds and growth of chilies, an experiment was carried out at Vegetable Research Farm, Mahrajpur, Department of Horticulture, JNKVV, Jabalpur (M.P.) in the rabi season of 2010-2011. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized block design having there replications, and comprising of sixteen treatments chili variety ‘’JM-218’’ was selected for the experiment and sown in a plot size of 3.0 m x 2.0 m. All the treatments significantly affected the parameters of weed density m-2, fresh weight biomass, and yield components of chilies such as plant height, number of fruits per plant, red ripe fruit yield and dry fruit yield. Highest weed density of all the weed species, fresh weed biomass were recorded in weedy check plots. Pendimethalin @ 1.5 l/ha + black mulch resulted in the highest plant height (75.3 cm), number of fruits per plant (73.33), yield of red ripe fruit (134.7 q ha-1) and yield of dry fruit (22q ha-1) followed by pendimethalin @ 1.5 l/ha + paddy straw mulch. Therefore, pendimethalin @ 1.5 l/ha + black polythene mulch resulted as the most effective treatment in terms of weed suppression and yield enhancement of chili crop.