Effect of pine bark volume and ventilation for bell pepper production in high tunnels

Abstract

Bell peppers cultivated in Florida represent one third of the U.S. fresh-market production. Protected cultivation offers an advantage in a subtropical, humid climate to obtain high-quality colored bell peppers. However, multiple factors such as ventilation, high temperatures, and potting media volume can affect the success of bell pepper production under protected cultivation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the combination of two ventilation types and four pine bark volumes on bell pepper yield, plant growth and fruit quality. No significant effects of ventilation or pine bark volume on plant growth or commercial yield were found. This study suggested bell pepper can be cultivated in small pots as long as the plants are in non-limiting water and nutrient conditions. Moreover, a ventilation system with only a central roof vent in the ridge of the tunnel with a metallic gutter has no additional beneficial effect on colored bell pepper yields.