Application of Partially Composted Organic Materials as Mulch Improves Soil Fertility, Weed Suppression, and Agro‐Physiological Properties of Colored Pepper Grown Under Greenhouse Conditions

Abstract

Two greenhouse experiments at the Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, evaluated the effects of organic mulches on soil properties, weed suppression, and sweet pepper growth. Treatments included composted rice straw (CRS), composted sawdust (CSD), composted olive pruning waste (COP), composted Dodonaea viscosa wastes (CDV), chicken manure wastes (CMW), hand hoeing (HAD), chemical treatment (CHT), and a control (CON) with no mulch or fertilizer. All organic mulches significantly improved soil organic carbon (SOC), organic matter, total and organic nitrogen, and available nutrients compared to the chemical fertilizer and control. Mulches and chemical fertilizer also enhanced plant height, leaf number, SPAD values, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, fruit yield, vitamin C content, and fruit diameter. Additionally, mulches effectively suppressed weeds and increased weed control efficiency. Partially composted rice straw (CRS) showed the greatest positive impact on growth, photosynthesis, fruit yield, and weed suppression. Overall, organic mulches, especially partially composted rice straw, enhance sweet pepper productivity and fruit quality through improved soil fertility, nutrient uptake, and weed management.