Abstract: In order to study the effect of hemp mulch on the growth and development environment of soilless cultivated peppers, the basic physicochemical properties of soil and substrate, growth and development of peppers, as well as the quantity of soil microorganisms of peppers' inter-root were investigated by using the single facter variable method in four treatments, namely, soil culture without mulching （CK）, PE film soil culture （T1）, PE film substrate cultivation （T2）, and hemp film-covered soilless culture （T3）. The results showed that compared with the CK, T1 and T2 treatments, the T3 treatment significantly improved the yield and quality of peppers. Compared with the CK, the soluble sugar and VC content of peppers increased by 21.13% and 49.26%, respectively. Compared with the pre-planting period, the organic matter content, quick-acting nitrogen content, quick-acting phosphorus content and quick-acting potassium content in the soil or substrate of CK, T1, T2 and T3 treatments were increased, among which the content of the T3 treatment increased the most obviously. It could be seen from the analysis that hemp mulch enhanced the physicochemical properties of the substrate more obviously, improved the substrate conductivity as well as the porosity size, raised the ground temperature, increased the diversity of bacteria in the substrate, reduced the fungal abundance, which in turn was conducive to accelerating the decomposition of nutrients, and had a greater effect on the root environment and the growth and development of plants.

Key words: pepper, hemp mulching film, soilless culture, soil environment, soil microorganisms