Cowpea Cover Crop Mulch for Weed Control in Desert Pepper Production

• DOI: 10.21273/hortsci.35.2.196
• Publication Date: 2019-02-01T03:48:48Z
• Authors: Chad M. Hutchinson; Milton E. McGiffen
• Keywords: Transplanting; Plastic mulch; Dry weight

A 2-year field project was conducted in Thermal, Calif., to investigate cowpea [ Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] mulch as an alternative weed control option pepper ( Capsicum annuum L.) production. Treatments included: bare ground (BG) with hand weeding, BG no (CM) and CM weeding. Cowpea seeded July on 76-cm beds irrigated buried drip line. Two weeks prior transplanting peppers, irrigation water turned off desiccate the plants. In September, cut at soil line, returned top of bed, plants were transplanted into fertilized through Every 2 weeks, number weeds emerged plant height recorded. Fruit production, dry weight, weight recorded harvest December. Fewer than BG. The final population nonweeded reduced 80% 90% comparison 1997 1998, respectively. Weed weights 67% less those over same period. respectively, produced 202% 156% more well greater fruit There differences mean weight. provided season-long without herbicides while promoting growth