Insect and Weed Interactions on Bell Peppers (Capsicum annuum)

Abstract

Two years of field research were conducted to determine the additive effects of weed cover and insects on pepper production. When weeds covered less than 10% of test plots, the natural insect populations reduced the marketable fruit yield of bell peppers 32% in 1983 and 22% in 1984. When weeds covered 72 or 94% of the test plots, foliage damage due to insects was from 5.8 to 12.1%, respectively. The high percent weed cover and insects reduced yield 99%. The average fresh weight of pepper foliage approached zero as weed cover approached maximum. Foliar levels of iron and aluminum were reduced greatly in peppers grown in competition with a 100% weed cover. The level of boron, copper, phosphorus, and potassium in pepper foliage increased as percent weed cover increased.