scholarly journals Fertilizer Program Impacts Yield and Blossom End Rot in Bell Pepper

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-169
Author(s):  
Timothy Coolong ◽  
Andre Luiz Biscaia Ribeiro da Silva ◽  
Justin Shealey

High-value vegetable crops such as bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) are heavily fertilized by growers who seek to maximize yields. Field experiments were conducted in Spring 2016 and 2017 evaluating two liquid fertilizers with and without calcium (Ca), applied at three nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) levels in two varieties of bell pepper to determine whether current fertilizer recommendations were adequate and whether fertilizer source impacted fruit yield and quality. Plants were grown using plastic mulch and drip irrigation following standard production practices for the region. Two liquid fertilizer programs [7N–0P–5.8 (7–0–7) and 4N–0P–6.6K/9N–0P–0K–11Ca (4–0–8/CN9)] were applied twice weekly at three N rates (175, 200, and 225 lb/acre N). Yield, cull rate, and foliar nutrient concentrations were measured. In 2016, total marketable yields were greatest [910 boxes/acre (28 lb/box)] and blossom end rot (BER) incidence (14.4%) lowest in plants grown with the supplemental Ca (4–0–8/C9 fertilizer) at 175 lb/acre N. Cull rates increased in plants grown without supplemental Ca during the season (7–0–7 fertilizer), with BER incidence ranging from 22.9% to 27.2%. Yields ranged from 590 to 740 boxes/acre in plants grown without supplemental Ca in 2016. In 2017, yields ranged from 530 to 790 boxes/acre in plants grown with supplemental Ca at 200 and 175 lb/acre N, respectively. Culls due to BER were lower in 2017 than in 2016. In 2016, BER incidence was greater in ‘PSO9979325’ compared with ‘Antebellum’, despite no differences in total yield. Foliar nutrient levels were largely unaffected by fertilizer program; however, foliar N and K concentrations increased with the rate of N and K fertilization. The results of this study suggest that using liquid fertilizer program containing some Ca may benefit bell pepper growers in some, but not all, growing seasons.

HortScience ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 530B-530
Author(s):  
George H. Clough ◽  
Shara E. Alexander

A 2-year study was conducted in eastern Oregon to evaluate the effects of hooped spunbonded polypropylene rowcovers and calcium fertilization on yield and quality of drip-irrigated bell pepper grown on black plastic mulch. The experiment was a complete factorial with four replications of two varieties, covered and uncovered plots, and three levels of supplemental calcium fertilization at 0, 34 and 68 kg·ha–1 applied through the drip irrigation system as Ca(NO3)2. Marketable yields increased with rowcover, both at the first harvest and over the season. Blossom-end rot and sunscald were reduced substantially by rowcovers; the effect was greatest during the earlier harvests. First harvest and season total yield of fancy grade peppers increased linearly as rate of supplemental calcium increased, as did total marketable yield at the first harvest. There was a trend to decreasing yield of fruit with blossom-end rot as calcium rate increased, and the percent fruit with blossom-end rot at the first harvest decreased linearly with increasing rate of calcium fertilization. Yield of fruit affected by sunscald decreased linearly as supplemental calcium rate increased at the first harvest; overall, yield of sunscald fruit was reduced by application of calcium at either rate.


HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 1150-1152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shara E. Alexander ◽  
George H. Clough

A 2-year study was conducted in eastern Oregon to evaluate the effects of hooped spunbonded polypropylene rowcovers and Ca fertilization on yield and quality of drip-irrigated bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L. Grossum group) grown on black plastic mulch. The experiment was a complete factorial with four replications of two cultivars, covered and uncovered plots, and three levels of supplemental Ca fertilization at 0, 34, and 68 kg·ha-1 applied through the drip irrigation system as Ca(NO3)2. Rowcovers increased marketable yields both at the first harvest and over the season. Blossom-end rot and sunscald were reduced substantially by rowcovers; the effect was greatest during the earlier harvests. First-harvest and season total yield of fancy grade peppers increased linearly as rate of supplemental Ca increased, as did total marketable yield at the first harvest. Both yield of fruit with blossom-end rot and the percentage of fruit with blossom-end rot at the first harvest decreased as Ca rate increased. Yield of fruit affected by sunscald decreased linearly as supplemental Ca rate increased at the first harvest; overall, yield of sunscalded fruit was reduced by application of Ca at either rate.


1970 ◽  
pp. 15-23
Author(s):  
M.N. Helaly, A.A. Arafa, Heba M. Ibrahim, K.H. Ghoniem

Two field experiments were doled out during 2014 and 2015 growing seasons to assess tomato growth and yield as affected by some biostimulants and micronutrients with or without mulching type. Certain physiological characters were also examined, plant height, the number of branches per plant chlorophyll a, nitrogen %, red fruit weight and total yield per plant as well as fruit firmness and ascorbic acid concentration in fruit was increased in tomatoes under black plastic mulch compared with bar soil. Application of either biostimulants or micronutrient used to increase all growth and yield characters as well as photosynthetic pigments, ions percentage, and fruit quality. Additive effects were shown under mulching, seaweed extract proved to be the most effective in this respect. It could be recommended that spraying tomato crop at 35 and 50 days from transplanting with 500 mg/l seaweed extract under clear or black plastic mulch in order for inducing the highest yield and improve fruit quality.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 685-691
Author(s):  
Andre Luiz Biscaia Ribeiro da Silva ◽  
Joara Secchi Candian ◽  
Lincoln Zotarelli ◽  
Timothy Coolong ◽  
Christian Christensen

Soil nitrogen (N) is easily leached in cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) production areas of southeastern United States characterized by sandy soils with low water-holding capacity. Soil N leaching in these areas is increased after rainfall events; consequently, growers increase the fertilizer N application to protect against N deficiencies and yield loss. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of three fertilizer N rates on yield and head quality for common cabbage cultivars used by Florida and Georgia growers during four cabbage growing seasons. Field experiments were conducted in Hastings, FL, in 2016 and 2017, and in Tifton, GA, in 2018 and 2019. A randomized complete block design was used with a split-plot design of fertilizer N rate and cabbage cultivar. Fertilizer N rate treatments consisted of the application of 170, 225, and 280 lb/acre N and were assigned as the main plot. Cabbage cultivars Bravo, Bronco, Bruno, Capture, Cheers, and Ramada were assigned as the sub-plots. Weather conditions were monitored during all growing seasons, and total, marketable, and unmarketable yields, as well as cabbage head polar and equatorial diameters, and core height and width were measured. In Florida, there was a significant interaction for growing season and fertilizer N rate. The Florida 2016 cabbage season experienced 10.5 inches of rainfall, and fertilizer N rates had no effect on cabbage yields. Total and marketable yield averaged 45,391 and 38,618 lb/acre among fertilizer N rates in 2016, respectively. Rainfall accumulated 2.1 inches during the 2017 study in Florida, which was less than the crop evapotranspiration. In response, total and marketable yield were higher for the applications of 225 lb/acre N (51,865 and 49,335 lb/acre, respectively) and 280 lb/acre N (54,564 and 52,219 lb/acre, respectively) compared with the application of 170 lb/acre N (47,929 and 43,710 lb/acre, respectively). In Georgia, there were no significant interactions between production season and fertilizer N rates. In addition, there were no significant main effects of season or fertilizer N rate. Rainfall events accumulated 20.9 and 7.8 inches during the 2018 and 2019 growing seasons, respectively. Total and marketable yields averaged 37,290 and 33,355 lb/acre, respectively for the two growing seasons in Georgia. Cabbage cultivar had no interaction with fertilizer N rate in any location. ‘Cheers’ (52,706 lb/acre) had the highest total yield in Florida, and ‘Ramada’ (38,462 lb/acre) and ‘Bronco’ (39,379 lb/acre) had the highest total yields in Georgia. In conclusion, the application of 225 lb/acre N was sufficient to sustain cabbage yields, but yields of the 170- and 225-lb/acre N treatments were not different when rainfall events exceeded crop evapotranspiration.


HortScience ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 1395-1399
Author(s):  
Vincent M. Russo

Amendment of soil with microorganisms during the growth cycle of one crop may affect development of succeeding crops. Species of Rhizobium bacteria or abuscular-mycorrhizal fungi were added alone to, or in combination with, potting soil in pots in a greenhouse. Controls were no amendments. Seed of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) were planted and two levels of a combination NPK fertilizer, the recommended and one-fourth the recommended rate, were applied. After harvest of peanut and remoistening of soil, seed of the bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) or navy bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were sown into the same planting medium in pots without additional inoculation with microbes. Dry weights of above-ground vegetative and edible portions of crops were determined. Inoculum type only affected peanut top and total dry weights. The recommended fertilizer level did not affect peanut yield but did cause improvement in bell pepper and navy bean yield over that of the deficient fertilizer rate. In field experiments, peanut was planted into soil receiving Rhizobium spp. bacteria, or arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungi alone or in combination. Controls consisted of no amendment. Only the recommended fertilizer rate was used. In the next 2 years, bell pepper or navy bean were established in plots without use of additional microbial amendment. Yields and nutrient contents of crops were determined. Type of inoculum did not affect yield or nutrient content in any crop. Bell pepper marketable yield was unaffected by year, and navy bean seed yield was higher in 2004 than in 2005. In both years, navy bean yields were below U.S. averages. Concentrations of most nutrients in edible portions of bell pepper and navy bean were lower in 2004 than in 2005. Results of the field trials were generally similar to those of greenhouse studies. Use of inocula did not provide substantial benefits to yield or nutrient content of peanut or vegetable crops that followed.


1989 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. L. VASILAS ◽  
J. FUHRMANN ◽  
L. E. GRAY

One of the effects of Septoria brown spot on soybean is accelerated lower-canopy defoliation. Field experiments were conducted in 1986 and 1987 to determine the response of soybean yield and yield components to progressive lower-canopy defoliation during seedfill. Soybean cultivar Williams 82 was machine planted in rows 76 cm wide and hand thinned to a uniform stand of 23 plants m−1. Three treatments were used: controls; defoliated, starting at R5 (beginning seed stage; DEF1), and defoliated, starting 7 d past R5 (DEF2). Defoliation treatments were applied by removing the leaflets and petioles from the lowest three or four leaf-bearing nodes four times at 4-d intervals so that only three or four nodes at the top of the plant remained leaf-bearing when defoliation ceased. Yield and yield components were determined for upper, lower and total nodes. Although the two growing seasons were very different, yield responses to defoliation were similar in both years. On the average, DEF1 reduced seed yield by 18% which is similar to losses that occur when brown spot is induced by inoculation; DEF2 reduced yields by 9% which is similar to yield losses reported for naturally occurring brown spot. Yields of DEF2 exceeded yields of DEF1 because of differences in pod number in 1986 and seeds/pod in 1987. Controls out-yielded DEF2 because of differences in seeds/pod in 1986 and seed size in 1987. The proportion of the total yield contributed by pods found on the upper nodes averaged 76% and was not affected by defoliation.Key words: Glycine max, Septoria glycines, brown spot, leaf loss


HortScience ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 715-720 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ted S. Kornecki ◽  
Francisco J. Arriaga

A 4-year experiment with different tillage practices for tomatoes was conducted in Cullman, AL, to determine the impact of plastic mulch (control), rye and crimson clover cover crops, and different subsoiler shanks (no shank, slim 13 mm thick and wide 20 mm thick) on tomato yield. Overall, during 2007 and 2008 growing seasons, total tomato yields (between 58,905 and 60,115 kg·ha−1) and marketable tomato yields (between 48,331 and 49,873 kg·ha−1) were significantly higher than in 2005 and 2006 (between 49,656 and 50,151 kg·ha−1 and from 40,581 to 41,194 kg·ha−1) for total and marketable tomato yields, respectively. During the 2006 and 2008 growing seasons, plastic cover provided higher yield (60,921 and 73,718 kg·ha−1) compared with rye and crimson clover overall shank treatments. In 2007, higher yield was produced following rye without shank (70,577 kg·ha−1) compared with plastic mulch and crimson clover treatments. Across years, tomato yield after crimson clover was lower compared with rye and plastic. Percent of marketable fruit yield to total yield exceeded 80% in all treatments, including the plastic control. Cover crops and shank treatments did not affect percentage of marketable tomato yield compared with total tomato yield. Cover crops, especially rye, can provide an alternative in tomato production for those producers not wanting to use plastic mulches.


HortScience ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 884A-884
Author(s):  
J. Irizarry-Morales ◽  
L. Wessel-Beaver ◽  
D. Maynard ◽  
G. Elmstrom

Three field experiments were carried out in Lajas, Puerto Rico, to compare the effects of planting method (direct and transplant), plastic mulch (with and without), and planting density (1.8 x 1.8 m, 3.6 x 0.9 m, 1.8 x 0.9 m between and within rows) on production of short-and long-vined tropical pumpkins (Cucurbita moschata). The long-vine genotype produced greater yields and larger but fewer fruit than the short-vine genotype. However, most of the planting densities tested were probably not optimum for short-vine cultivars. Direct seeding of pumpkin was more efficient than transplanting and resulted in the same early and total yield as transplanting. Yields with plastic-covered banks were similar to yields without the use of plastic. However, use of plastic mulch increased the number of fruit and decreased the average fruit weight in the plots. The best planting distance depended on the type of genotype used. The long-vine genotype had the highest yields at 1.8 x 1.8 m, while the short-vine cultivar performed best with half that amount of space per plant (1.8 x 0.9 m). Production of short-vine cultivars might be improved by using even narrower planting distances.


2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 226-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohsen Mohseni-Moghadam ◽  
Douglas Doohan

Field experiments were conducted at Wooster, OH, in 2010 and 2011 to evaluate the effect of simulated drift rates of 2,4-D, dicamba, and 2,4-D plus glyphosate on processing broccoli and bell pepper. Treatments were made in July of each year when bell pepper and broccoli were at the 10- and eight-leaf stage, respectively, and included five 2,4-D rates (1/50, 1/100, 1/150, 1/200, and 1/400 of the recommended field rate of 840 g ae ha−1), five dicamba rates (1/50, 1/100, 1/150, 1/200, and 1/400 of the recommended field rate of 560 g ae ha−1), and three rates of 2,4-D plus glyphosate (1/100, 1/200, and 1/400 of the recommended field rates). Crop injury was recorded at 7 and 28 d after treatment (DAT). Broccoli and bell pepper responded differently to simulated drift rates each year with higher initial injury ratings observed in 2010, and more persistent symptoms in 2011. 2,4-D at the 1/50 rate reduced broccoli yield by approximately 50% in 2010. Simulated drift rates of 2,4-D did not cause broccoli yield reduction in 2011, nor did simulated drift rates of dicamba, or 2,4-D plus glyphosate reduce yield either year. Although simulated drift treatments did not reduce total yield of bell pepper, the timing of fruit maturity was affected. Yield at first harvest was reduced by high simulated drift rates of each herbicide and by the herbicide tank mix. These results indicate that broccoli and bell pepper are sensitive to very low doses of 2,4-D and dicamba that are typical of those encountered in drift events. The impact of actual drift on delayed maturity and total yield of these crops is likely to be costly for the farmer.


2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 694-700 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter M. Eure ◽  
A. Stanley Culpepper

Bell pepper producers are faced with the challenge of controlling weeds following the phase-out of methyl bromide (MBr). Numerous attempts have been made to find a single fumigant or herbicide to control a broad spectrum of weeds. Adequate weed control in bell pepper will likely require weed management systems utilizing both fumigant and herbicide options. A weed management system including the fumigant dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) plus chloropicrin (Pic) plus the herbicide napropamide prior to transplant followed byS-metolachlor POST may be necessary to replace MBr. Field experiments were conducted during 2010 and 2011 near Ty Ty, Georgia to determine bell pepper and weed response to DMDS plus Pic or in systems with napropamide and/orS-metolachlor. Bell pepper were not significantly injured by DMDS plus Pic or napropamide. Injury caused byS-metolachlor was transient and plants fully recovered by 4 weeks after treatment (WAT). Yellow nutsedge control 6 WAT using DMDS plus Pic applied at 468 or 560 L ha−1controlled yellow nutsedge 91 to 95%. Large crabgrass control 6 WAT was 92 to 100% when DMDS plus Pic was applied at 468 or 560 L ha−1with or without a(n) herbicide (S-metolachlor or napropamide). Palmer Amaranth control prior to harvest was 21, 64, and 85% using DMDS plus Pic at 374, 468, or 560 L ha−1, respectively. DMDS plus Pic applied at 468 or 560 L ha-1with napropamide followed byS-metolachlor POST gave 95 to 99% control of Palmer amaranth 6 WAT. Consistent weed control and optimum yields were obtained when DMDS plus Pic was used at 468 L ha−1plus napropamide beneath plastic mulch followed byS-metolachlor POST.


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