The Use of Living Mulches for Weed Management in Hot Pepper and Okra

The study evaluated white clover (Trifolium rapens), red clover (T. pratencis), perennial ryegrass (Lolium pratense) and canola (Brassica napus) as living mulches for weed management in hot pepper (Capsicum annum) and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus). Perennial rye-grass and white clover provided the best weed control. Weed control was similar when living mulches were newly planted in the spring (NP) or in the previous year and overwintered (OW). In the NP treatment, weeds were suppressed similarly both in the tilled crop rows and within the mulch. Yields of okra and hot pepper were greatest in the conventional tillage (CT). Mowing of living mulches improved hot pepper yields in red clover but not okra yields.