BELL PEPPER GROWTH AND PRODUCTION AS INFLUENCED BY END-OF-DAY SUPPLEMENTAL LIGHT-PRIMING OF TRANSPLANTS

Abstract

The influence of end-of-day (EOD) supplemental light-priming on pepper (Capsicum annuum cv. Keystone Resistant Giant No. 3) transplants was investigated for possible residual growth effects on subsequent plant growth and fruit production. Greenhouse grown pepper transplants were fluorescent light-primed for one hour prior to dusk for three weeks in 1988 and four weeks in 1989 and then transplanted to the field. EOD fluorescent light-priming of pepper plants reduced the height, leaf area, dry weight, fruit number, and fruit weight as compared to non-treated plants prior to first harvest. EOD fluorescent light-priming of pepper transplants had little effect on early and total fruit production. These results suggest that EOD fluorescent light-priming of transplants that affect early pepper growth in the field have little residual influence on subsequent fruit production.