Supplemental saline drip irrigation applied at different growth stages of two bell pepper cultivars grown with or without mulch in non-saline soil

The effect of supplemental saline (2.5 dS m−1) drip irrigation and black polyethylene mulch on two cultivars of bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) was investigated under field conditions using a randomized complete block design with split–split plot restriction. The research included six irrigation treatments (main plots): (i) non-saline irrigation control applied throughout growth (None), (ii) saline irrigation from transplanting until formation of the first fruit set (S1S2), (iii) saline irrigation from transplanting until appearance of the first flower and from first harvest to final harvest (S1S4), (iv) saline irrigation from appearance of the first flower to first harvest (S2S3), (v) saline irrigation from fruit set to final harvest (S3S4), and (vi) saline irrigation throughout growth (All); two mulch treatments (subplots): (i) black mulch and (ii) bare soil; and two bell pepper cultivars (sub-subplots): (i) Early Sunsation and (ii) Red Knight. Production of fully ripened fruits was higher in mulched plants regardless of saline irrigation treatments. In humid areas with non-saline soil, supplemental saline drip irrigation could be used with black polyethylene mulch to save water while maintaining fruit production.

Research highlights▶ We study saline irrigation timing and black polyethylene mulch on bell pepper. ▶ Irrigating saline water during fruiting increases soil salinity in mulched soil. ▶ Mulched plant regardless of saline water has higher yield than non-mulched plant.