Effects of mulching materials on agronomic characteristics, pests of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and their natural enemies population

Abstract

The trial was to study the effect of different mulching materials on agronomic characteristics, pests and their subsequent effect on the natural enemies of the pests of pepper (Capsicum annuum).

Effect of varieties and mulch types on foliar insect pests of okra [<i>Abelmoschus esculentus</i> L. (Moench)] in a humid tropical environment

“…The control (unmulch) had the lowest plant height followed by groundnut (live mulch). The effect of cowpea as life-mulch in reducing plant height has been reported by Mochiah et al (2012) in okra. This could be as result of competition for nutrient, light and space between okra and different weed types in the control and cowpea life-mulch with okra plants on the other hand.…”

“…Throughout the duration of the experiment, application of mulch had significant effect on the number of leaves of okra. In crop production, mulching is one of the most beneficial and simplest agronomic practices used to aid water retention, increase soil nutrition, improve seed germination and seedling survival, suppress weed growth, enhance pest and disease protection, enhance root establishment, transplant survival and overall plant growth performance (Mugalla et al, 1996;Chalker-Scott, 2007;Iqbal, et al, 2009;Mochiah et al, 2012). Generally, mulched plants have been shown to have higher shoot dry weight than non-mulched plants (Amoroso et al, 2010).…”

“…Mulching, which can be described as covering of the top soil with a protective material, is one of the most beneficial and simplest agronomic practices for reducing erosion, suppressing weed growth, retaining water and enhancing pest and disease protection in gardens (Mugalla et al, 1996;Iqbal,et al, 2009). Mochiah et al (2012) reported that cowpea live mulch can effectively suppress pest populations in pepper while the use of groundnut as live mulch in an intercropping system have been recommended (Ibeawuchi et al, 2005). Grass (Pennisetum) mulch has been effectively used to control weeds, reduce soil temperature and conserve soil moisture (Awodoyin et al, 2007).…”

“…Contrarily, relatively high pest populations have been reported in plots mulched with straw when compared with other treatments (Johnson et al, 2004) Polyethylene mulch has been found to improve retention of soil moisture, reduce rot in crown fruit, inhibit weed growth, increase yield delay tomato yellow leaf curl (TYLC) by at least 14 days, ameliorate tomato spotted wilt (TSW) significantly, stem soil nutrient leaching and effectively control pests (Gilreath, 2001;Kwabiah, 2004;Ban et al, 2009;Berihun, 2011;Hatami et al, 2012, Mahadeen, 2014. Most of the experiments on mulching materials were primarily to determine their effect in soil water conservation, reduction of salt accumulation in the soil, soil temperature amelioration, weed suppression and the resultant effect on crop yield (Jamil et al, 2005;Awodoyin et al, 2007;Al-Rawahy et al, 2011;Mochiah et al, 2012) Studies conducted to ascertain the comparative effect of the five mulch types: dry palm fronds, dry grass, black polyethylene, groundnut (live mulch) and unmulch (as control) to control insect pests of okra in a humid tropical environment, is relatively novel in our clime. This study, therefore, was aimed at determining the types of insect pests that attack okra in Owerri area of Imo State, their preponderance, extent of damage caused and effect of the mulch types in their control.…”

Non-Chemical Weed Management in Potato at Higher Elevations

“…The height will increase with decrease in competition with weeds. In this connection, Mochiah et al (2012) reported an increase in plant height of pepper with mulching of the soil. The mulching of Cannabis sativa effectively reduced the weed competition which eventually helps increase the plant height as compared to weedy check.…”