Effects of weed control practices and fertilizer types on the growth and yield of bell pepper (capsicum annum L.) in Nsukka, Nigeria

The study examined the effect of weed control practices and different fertilizer sources for the optimum growth and yield of bell pepper. The study was conducted at the teaching farm of the Department of Crop Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The sample for the study were weed control practices comprising black polyethylene mulch, un-weeded plot, and manual weeding with hoe at 2-week intervals and different fertilizer types comprising cow dung, pig dung, and poultry manure at 20 t/ha, respectively; NPK fertilizer at 150 kg/ha; and no fertilizer (control). There were 15 treatment combinations arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated three times. The study revealed that the plots mulched with black polyethylene and poultry manure recorded a significantly higher number of leaves per plant (82.0), plant height (16.47 cm), a lower number of broadleaved weeds (1.45/0.5m2), grasses (1.50/0.5 m2), and sedges (0.70/0.5m2), weed dry weight (0.81 g), and higher weed control efficiency (86.48%). It concluded that applying black polyethylene mulch with the application of NPK or poultry manure provided positive results for growth as well as weed control and therefore should be recommended to the extension agents and farmers for efficient and profitable production of bell pepper.