Response of Pepper and Muskmelon to Row Solarization

Abstract

Abstract The effect of soil solarization (solar heating of soil using clear plastic during a summer fallow period) on consecutive cropping of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) was investigated. Raised beds were mulched with 40 µm clear polyethylene film in July, irrigated, and left undisturbed for one month. The plastic then was either removed or pigmented and left in place as a mulch. Solarization increased marketable yield of fall-grown bell pepper 20% when compared to conventional, nonsolarized culture. Where the solarizing plastic was pigmented and left in place as a mulch, pepper yield was 53% higher than in nonsolarized plots. There was a significant residual solarization effect on marketable yield of muskmelon grown the following spring. Increased pepper and melon yields were attributable to increased fruit number rather than fruit weight. Solarization did not influence earliness.