U. A. S. Agricultural Research Station, Honnaville, Shimoga-577 222, India.
Two field experiments were conducted during 1996–97 and 1997–98 to examine weed seed emergence due to soil solarization in chilli-maize system. The months of solarization, thickness of transparent polyethylene films (TPEs) and duration of solarization were examined. Soil solarization as a whole reduced the weed population in chilli and in the succeeding crop of maize. However, there was spurt in the germination of Digitaria marginata Link (Crab grass) at later stages in chilli but not in succeeding maize. Soil solarization during May gave better weed control than in April. TPE of 25 μm performed better than 50 or 75 μm. Soil solarization for 45 days proved better over that of 30 days.
