Within-row spacing effects on traits of importance to mechanical harvest in paprika-type peppers

Abstract

Several within-row spacings (WRS) were tested on paprika-type peppers ( Capsicum annuum L.) grown at a standard between-row spacing of 0.9 m. The objective was to maximize marketable yield per square meter while minimizing plant size and lodging so as to facilitate mechanical harvest. Total and marketable fruit dry weights per square meter decreased linearly as WRS increased from 5 to 25 cm in 1990. The 20 and 25 cm WRS produced undesirably massive plants with a high rate of lodging. Fruit yields were unaffected by WRS of 5, 10, and 15 cm in 1991, but lodging and shoot dry weight increased as WRS increased. Two experiments performed without thinning in 1992 produced WRS comparisons of about 4.5 vs. 8 cm and 7 vs. 11 cm. Shoot dry weights were highest with the wider WRS, but marketable fruit dry weights per square meter and lodging percentages were unaffected by WRS in either 1992 study. Given a between-row spacing of 0.9 m, a target WRS of 10 cm (about 11 plants m −2) is recommended for paprika-type peppers intended for mechanical harvest. Net WRS of less than 10 cm are preferable to those greater than 10 cm.