Title: Evaluation of non-chemical weed management practices in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)
Abstract: An experiment was conducted at the Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Thrissur, Kerala from June 2020 to September 2020 (Kharif) with the objective of evaluating non-chemical methods of weed management in chilli. Six different techniques including stale seed bed methods, mulching and hand weeding were evaluated against a weedy check in randomized block design replicated thrice. Black polythene mulch recorded the highest weed control efficiency and the lowest weed density, weed dry matter production and weed index, followed by straw mulch when applied alone and when followed by one hand weeding. At all stages of observation, chilli plants in polythene mulching were found to be the tallest, followed by straw mulching when done alone and when followed by one hand weeding. Chilli plants in polythene mulching recorded the highest number of fruits per plant (218) and fruit yield (22.44 t/ha), followed by straw mulching both when done alone (182 nos. and 18.89 t/ha respectively) and when followed by one hand weeding (177 nos. and 18.38 t/ha respectively). The organic carbon content in soil was highest in polythene mulching at 60 DAT and after the final harvest. At both stages of observation, straw mulching had highest values of available P and K, whereas available N was found higher in black polythene mulch at 60 DAT and in stale seed bed followed by one hand weeding after the final harvest. Black polythene mulch recorded the highest B:C ratio (1.84) and was followed by straw mulching (1.42). [P. Fasna, Meera V. Menon, P.V. Sindhu, P. Anitha, Savitha Antony (2022). Evaluation of non-chemical weed management practices in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.). Journal of Tropical Agriculture, 59(2).]