Department of Basic Sciences, University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan 173 230
* Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry
Different mulching materials like grass, Lantana and plastic helped bell pepper to perform better at water deficits from 25 to 75%. Growth (plant height, leaf area and leaf area index) and flower number and fruit yield were significantly maintained at higher level in mulched plants than unmulched ones up to 75% water deficit. Yield was significantly higher in plastic mulch at 25, 50 and 75% water deficits. Mulched plants maintained higher photosynthetic rate over unmulched at all water deficit levels. Plastic mulch increased WUE. Light transmission ratio decreased considerably in mulched stressed plants. Mulching improved drought tolerance efficiency at all levels of water deficits.
