Effect of mulching with drip irrigation on summer capsicum yield and economics

A field experiment was conducted on silt clay loam soil at Igatpuri (Nashik district, Maharashtra) during the summer season for three years (2003–2005) to determine the effect of mulch in relation to irrigation on crop growth, water use and yield of capsicum. The study revealed that the maximum growth in terms of bush height (29.7cm), number of branches plan⁻¹ (7.0) and maximum yield of capsicum (9.6 q ha⁻¹) was observed in the treatment consisting of drip irrigation with black plastic mulch of 5011 thickness which was significantly superior over all other treatments. Water-use-efficiency in this treatment was 2.5 times more as compared to conventional irrigation method with no mulch. Highest water-use-efficiency (16.9 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹) recorded in treatment of drip irrigation with black plastic mulch of 50 11 thickness was 59.2 per cent higher than the lowest water-use-efficiency (6.9 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹) observed in treatment of conventional irrigation method with no mulch. Water saving of 23.4% was observed in treatment of drip irrigation with mulch as compared to conventional irrigation method with no mulch. Net return was maximum in treatment of drip irrigation with black plastic mulch of 50 μ thickness (Rs. 589001/-ha⁻¹) as compared to conventional irrigation method with no mulch (Rs. 307001/-ha⁻¹) and resulted in an increase of Rs. 282001/- in net seasonal income.