Effect of Land Preparation and Weeding Regime on the Yield of Sweet Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) in Mubi, Adamawa State

Sweet pepper farmers do not seem to give the desired attention to the manner in which they prepare their lands. An experiment to determine the effects of land preparation and weeding regime on the yield sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) was conducted in Mubi, Nigeria during the 2008 and 2009 rainy seasons. The experiments were laid out in a split plot design with land preparation (zero tilled, Ploughed, Ploughed and Harrowed and Raised beds) assigned to the main plot. Weeding regimes at: No weeding, 2WAT (Weeks After Transplanting), 2 and 4 WAT and 2, 4 and 6WAT were assigned to the sub plots. Data were collected on yield characters such number of fruits per plot, number of fruits peer plant, fruit length, fruit diameter, yield per plot and yield per hectare. Results obtained from the experiments shows that a Land preparation was significant (p<0.05) for days to first flowering and fruit length. A significant (p<0.05) effect was also shown by land preparation yield per plot, yield per hectare, fruit length, fruit diameter, number of fruits per plant, total number of fruits per plot, fruit yield per plot and yield per hectare. The weeded three times at 2, 4 and 6WAT made a significant impact in all the yield characters studied. The raised bed method of land preparation and weeding three times at 2, 4 and 6 WAT was therefore recommended for optimum pepper yield in the study area.