Influence of Varieties and Mulching on the Quality and Quantity of Vegetable Pepper Yield

The influence of the cultivation method on green pepper fruits was investigated. Six pepper cultivars were planted using soil covered by brown mulching foil and in uncovered soil. Cultivation was maintained for two years providing the equivalent conditions of cultivation. The ascorbic acid content, total antioxidant capacity, total polyphenol content, soluble solids content and yield were observed and compared to mulching foil application, year of cultivation, pepper variety and order of harvest. The obtained results proved a statistically significant effect of mulching film in all tested varieties; the effects of year of cultivation and plant variety were also confirmed. The mulching film had a positive effect on pepper yield. The highest yield of peppers was grown on mulching foil in the variety 'Lungy'. The vitamin C content, total antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content and soluble solids content were demonstrably higher in the variant without mulching film. The highest levels of total polyphenol content and total antioxidant capacity were determined in the 'Yolo wonder' variety, the darkest colored cultivar. The highest content of vitamin C and soluble solids content were found in the 'Semaroh' variety grown without mulching film, however, this variety achieved the lowest yield growing with mulching foil.