Since the beginning of civilization, the man has developed technologies to increase the efficiency of food
production. The use of plastic mulch in commercial vegetable production is one of these traditional techniques
that have been used for centuries. Studies were conducted to assess the efficacy of plastic mulch on growth and
yield of two hot pepper hybrids, viz. Sky Red and Maha in poly/plastic tunnel. The treatments were black plastic
mulch, clear plastic mulch and bare soil as control. Both hot pepper hybrids mulched with black plastic showed
significantly better vegetative growth (plant height, leaf area etc) and fruit yield. Clear plastic mulch significantly
increased soil temperature and reduced the number of days to first flower than black plastic mulch and bare soil.
However, fruit yield was higher by 39.56 and 36.49% respectively in both hybrids when they were grown on black
and clear plastic mulch as compared to bare soil. Overall results indicated that the use of plastic mulch is an ideal
option to maximize hot pepper productivity as well as to extend their production season in poly/plastic tunnels.
Qumer Iqbal, Muhammad Amjad, Muhammad Rafique Asi, Muhammad Asif Ali, Riaz Ahmad. (2009) Vegetative And Reproductive Evaluation Of Hot Peppers Under Different Plastic Mulches In Poly/Plastic Tunnel , , Volume-46, Issue-2.
