Field Crop Management
Sweet pepper crops benefit from crop rotation. Growing pepper after paddy rice, for example, reduces the incidence of diseases and nematodes
It is advisable not to plant pepper in a field previously planted with tomato, pepper, eggplant, or other Solanaceous crop. These crops share some insect and disease problem.
Weeds and weed control
Weeds should be controlled because they compete with the pepper plants for light, water, and nutrients.Sometimes weeds host damaging insects and diseases.
Sweet pepper gardens are attacked by annual weeds such as Oxalis latifolia, Black jack (Bidens pilosa) and amaranthus spp. These can be easily controlled by mulching, uprooting them before flowering and burning them and crop rotation. Mulches can be used to suppress weed growth in the beds. If mulch is not available or does not provide adequate control, other relevant organic practices should be applied.
40-60 Tons of manure per hectare is recommended for medium to poor soil levels.Pepper plants should be fertilized with organic fertilizers to produce healthy produce.Consider local soil conditions and cropping patterns when selecting farming practices. Conducting a soil test is strongly recommended.
Organic N fertilizer should be applied before transplanting; and then in three subsequent phases at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after transplanting.
Irrigation
Irrigation and water management is critical with sweet pepper. The plants have shallow root systems. Sweet pepper will not tolerate drought. The need for water is especially high while the plants are flowering and setting fruit. Fields should be irrigated if there are signs of wilting at midday.
Furrow or drip irrigation is recommended as capability permits. Sprinkler irrigation should be avoided as wet leaves and fruits promote disease development. If overhead irrigation must be used, avoid late evening irrigation. Plants should be dry before nightfall.
Integrated Pest Management
Several insects attack pepper. The following are some of the most serious pests.
Insects, such as whiteflies, thrips, and aphids, can transmit viruses to young pepper plants. Cover seedlings with a net (60-mesh or finer) to prevent infestation. The net will also protect seedlings from heavy rains.
Tomato fruit worm bores inside fruits. Organic pesticides, Bacillus thuringiensis and parasitic wasps (biological) are used to control this pest.
Tomato fruit worm
Cotton aphids feed on the sap of leaves, causing the foliage to curl. Aphids also create a sugary substance that leads to black sooty mould growth on foliage. Aphids are controlled by the use of organic pesticides, reflective mulches, and crop rotation.
Cotton aphids
Thrips also remove sap from foliage, causing mid-veins to dry and leaves to cup upwards. Thrips are managed by eliminating host weeds, rotating crops, and spraying organic pesticides.
Thrip and its damages on pepper fruit
Broad mites can be serious pests during hot weather. The tiny pests feed on the underside of leaves causing the foliage to become dry and brittle. Fruits may be scarred. Mites are managed by sowing tolerant varieties, eliminating host weeds, rotating crops, and spraying organic miticides.
Broad mites and their damages on a sweet pepper plant
Cultural Pest management
Recommended crop rotation
| Onions |
Beans |
Sweet pepper |
|
Beans |
Sweet pepper |
Onions |
|
Sweet pepper |
onions |
Beans |
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