Roles of Trichoderma harzianum L. and mulching in improvement growth and yield characteristics of hot pepper (Capsicum Fruetescens L. )

Abstract

An experiments were carried out during spring season 2014 -2015in on of the private farms at Al- Basei region. Experiments were designed as Split – plot in Randomized Complete Block Design (R.C.B.D) in three replicates. Treatments included inoculation soil with Trichoderma harzianum ( i.e. 30, 40 and 50g. plant-1) in addition to control treatment ( not inoculation)as sub plot treatment, while main plot included plastic mulch colors (Black, yellow and not mulched treatment). Treatments means were compared according to Least Significant Difference (L.S.D) test at 0.05 probability level. Results showed that treated soil with 30 and 40g. plant-1 Trichoderma fungus increased significantly plant height, number of branches per plant, shoot dry weight, number of the main root and root dry weight compared with control( no inoculation) and treatment 50g. plant-1 which gave the lowest values. Treatment 30g. plan-1 gave the highest content of total chlorophyll and fiber in fruit compared with control which gave the lowest values, meanwhile treatment 50g. plant-1gave the highest value of nitrate in fruit compared with treatment 30g. plant-1 which gave the lowest vales. Treatment 40g. plant-1 gave significantly the highest content of vitamin C (71.61mg. 100g-1 fresh weight) and capsesein (149.33mg.. Kg-1) in fruit compared with control which gave(45.33mg.100g-1fresh weight and 79.56mg. kg-1). Result also showed that treatment 30g. plant-1 gave significantly the highest number of fruit per plant and average fruit weight while treatment 40g. plant-1 gave significantly the highest yield per plant and early total yield (0.737 and 5.84t. h-1) respectively compared with treatment 50g. plant-1 which gave the lowest values and the lowest early and total yield( 0.391 and 4.01t. h-1) respectively. Black mulch gave significantly the highest number of fruits, average fruit weight, plant yield, early and total yield (0.688 and 6.44t. h-1) respectively, compared with control which the lowest vales and the lowest early and total yield(0.419 and 3.54t.h-1) respectively.