Growth habit and in-row distance for bell pepper under protected culture

Abstract

ABSTRACT Bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) production under high tunnels requires appropriate plant density and growth habit to ensure efficient use of space. This study assessed the effects of in-row spacing and bell pepper growth habit on growth and yield under high tunnels. Determinate, cv. Crusader, and indeterminate, cv. Maria, seedlings were transplanted in single rows spaced at 20, 25, and 30 cm between plants (equivalent to 31,245; 24,996; and 20,830 plants∙ha−1, respectively) with growth habit as the main plot and in-row distance as sub-plot. Leaf greenness, plant nutrient status, plant height and marketable fruit weight and number were measured. Yield per plant and per unit area were affected by growth habit and in-row distance. The indeterminate cultivar produced 33% more fruit and 13% more yield per plant than the determinate cultivar, while the determinate cultivar produced 24% heavier fruit than the indeterminate cultivar. In-row distances of 20 and 25 cm resulted in similar fruit number per hectare, while 30 cm plant spacing reduced fruit per hectare by 20%. Overall yield was not affected by in-row distance. An economic analysis is necessary to evaluate the potential profitability of a bell pepper system based on indeterminate cultivars and an in-row distance of 30 cm.