Changes in one cultural practice often force us to review other production practices. The now widespread use of black polyethylene film mulches in bell pepper production has raised questions about the importance of controlling the weeds between the plastic and when this control is needed.
To answer these questions peppers cv 'Boynton Bell' were planted in double rows in black polyethylene mulched beds. Beds were 6 feet apart center to center. Pepper rows were 1 foot apart with rows staggered. Plants were spaced 2 feet apart in the row.
Weed control plots were three rows and treatments were repeated four times. Peppers were kept weed free for the entire season in control plots. In other treatments, plots were weeded only for weeks 1 and 2, 1 through 4, 1 through 6, 1 through 8, 1 through 10, 1 through 12, 1 through 14 or 1 through 16. In other plots weeds were allowed to grow initially but removed after 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 or 16 weeks and kept weed free thereafter. One plot was not weeded all season.
Peppers were harvested 3 times with the first harvest reported as early yield and all three included in total yield. The number and weight of marketable fruit were recorded.
Total yield of peppers was not significantly different from the weed free control if weeds were kept out of plots for weeks 1 through 10 or if weeds that were initially allowed to grow were removed during weeks 2 or 4. Therefore the critical period for weed control is weeks 4 through 10.
With early yields significant yield loss occurred only where weeds were not controlled during weeks 1 and 2 or were not removed before week 6.
Prepared by: Richard A. Ashley, University of Connecticut
Reprinted from: Proceedings. 1997. New England Vegetable and Berry Conference and Trade Show. Dec. 17-18, 1997. p.62-63.
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