Evaluation of Six Nitrogen Fertility Programs on Marketable Yield and Development of Skin Separation in Bell Pepper Fruit

In this study, the effects of six nitrogen fertility programs and two bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) cultivars were evaluated for marketable yield and incidence of skin separation in fruit. In 2006 and 2007, bell pepper cultivar Aristotle, which is tolerant to the crown rot phase of phytophthora blight (Phytophthora capsici), and a susceptible cultivar, Camelot, were established in a split-plot design with cultivar as the whole-plot factor and fertilizer regime as the subplot factor. Each year, fertility treatments included 1) 180 lb/acre of soluble nitrogen (N) plus phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) as 20N–8.7P–16.6K, 2) 300 lb/acre of soluble N (4N–0P–6.6K), 3) 180 lb/acre of soluble N (30N–0P–0K), 4) 135 lb/acre of soluble N (30N–0P–0K), 5) 180 lb/acre of granular N (43N–0P–0K), and 6) 135 lb/acre of granular N (43N–0P–0K). Soluble fertilizer treatments 1–4 were applied weekly through drip irrigation during the production season. Granular fertility treatments 5 and 6 were applied after bed making but before laying black plastic mulch each year. Additionally, all plots received 180 lb/acre each of P and K (0N–2.6P–4.9K) plus 2 lb/acre of boron distributed season-long in weekly fertilizer applications. In 2006 and 2007, cultivar had no effect on marketable yield or percent marketable fruit. In 2007, the percentage of harvested fruit with skin separation was significantly higher in fertility programs 1 and 2 compared with program 5. In 2006 and 2007, there were no significant interactions between cultivar and fertility program for marketable yield per plot, fruit with skin separation, percent marketable fruit, or marketable yield per acre. In both years, harvest date has a significant effect on marketable yield per plot, fruit with skin separation, percent marketable fruit, and marketable yield per acre. The percentage of harvested fruit with skin separation was higher in phytophthora-tolerant ‘Aristotle’ compared with phytophthora-susceptible ‘Camelot’ in 2006 and 2007. Results of this study suggest that the development of skin separation in bell pepper fruit is more influenced by genotype than N fertility program.

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Production System and Cultivar Effects on the Development of Skin Separation or “Silvering” in Bell Pepper Fruit

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech03144-16 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 37-44 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Christian A. Wyenandt ◽

Wesley L. Kline ◽

Daniel L. Ward ◽

Nancy L. Brill

Keyword(s):

Drip Irrigation ◽

Production System ◽

Production Systems ◽

Bell Pepper ◽

Crown Rot ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Pepper Fruit ◽

Bell Peppers ◽

Black Plastic

From 2006 to 2008, four different production systems and five bell pepper cultivars (Capsicum annuum) with either no resistance (Alliance and Camelot), tolerance (Revolution), or resistance (Paladin and Aristotle) to the crown rot phase of phytophthora blight (Phytophthora capsici) were evaluated for the development of skin separation or “silvering” in fruit at a research facility and four commercial vegetable farms in southern New Jersey. Cultivar, production system, and year, each had a significant effect on the total percentage of fruit with skin separation and marketable yield. The percentage of bell pepper fruit with skin separation was higher in both phytophthora-resistant cultivars compared with the phytophthora-susceptible cultivars across all four production systems. Marketable yield was highest when bell peppers were grown in double rows on raised beds with black plastic mulch and drip irrigation compared with bell peppers grown on single rows on raised beds with black plastic mulch and drip irrigation and bell peppers grown on single rows on raised, bare ground beds with buried drip irrigation. Marketable yields were lowest when bell peppers were grown in single rows on high, ridged beds with overhead irrigation. Results of this study suggest that the development of skin separation or “silvering” in fruit is more closely associated with genotype than type of production system.

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Suppression of Phytophthora Blight in Bell Pepper by a No-Till Wheat Cover Crop

Phytopathology ◽

10.1094/phyto.1997.87.3.242 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 87 (3) ◽

pp. 242-249 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

Jean B. Ristaino ◽

Gregory Parra ◽

C. Lee Campbell

Keyword(s):

Cover Crop ◽

Cultural Practices ◽

Irrigation System ◽

Disease Incidence ◽

Cropping System ◽

Bell Pepper ◽

Phytophthora Blight ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Initial Inoculum ◽

No Till

Four mechanisms of dispersal of propagules of Phytophthora capsici were investigated through modifications in cultural practices and fungicide applications in field plots of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum). Dispersal of soil inoculum was suppressed, and final incidence of disease was 2.5 to 43% when stubble from a fall-sown, no-till, wheat cover crop was present. Final disease incidence was 71 to 72% and pathogen spread occurred within and across rows when all dispersal mechanisms were operative in plots of pepper planted into bare soil. Final disease incidence was 42 to 78% with black plastic mulch when a sporulating pepper fruit placed on the surface served as the source of initial inoculum. The fungicide metalaxyl applied in the irrigation system did not suppress within-row spread of surface inoculum from a sporulating fruit on plastic, but did limit across-row spread; final disease incidence in metalaxyl-treated plots was 11.5 to 14%. Pathogen dispersal mechanisms were modified most dramatically by the no-till cropping system. Thus, simple changes in cultural practices can have dramatic effects on the development of Phytophthora epidemics. Ecologically based disease management strategies have the potential to reduce our reliance on agrichemicals in this and similar pathosystems.

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EFFECTS OF SOIL FUMIGANTS (METHAM SODIUM VS. METHYL BROMIDE) AND PLASTIC MULCH ON YIELD OF TOMATOES

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.27.11.1171b ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 27 (11) ◽

pp. 1171b-1171 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Steve Kovach ◽

James Brown ◽

Walter Hogue ◽

Larry Curtis ◽

William S. Gazaway

Keyword(s):

Methyl Bromide ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Black Plastic ◽

Marketable Fruit ◽

Soil Fumigants ◽

Metham Sodium

Drip-irrigated tomato (`Sunny') plants were treated with five levels of fumigant in combination with three levels of mulch. Fumigants were metham sodium at two rates, 475 and 950 L/ha, a 67% methyl bromide + 33% chloropicrin formulation (164.5 kg/ha, and a 98% methyl bromide + 2% chloropicrin formulation (329 kg/ha). Mulching levels were 1.25 mil silver on black polyethylene (plastic), blue-black latex mulch sprayed over the plant beds, and no mulch. Plants treated with metham sodium (950 L/ha) had a significantly higher number of marketable fruit than plants treated with no fumigant or the 98% methyl bromide + 2% chloropicrin formulation. Marketable fruit weight was not significantly affected by the five fumigation levels. Plants grown with black plastic mulch had a significantly higher marketable yield than plants grown with no mulch, 58,100 kg/ha vs. 50,800 kg/ha, respectively. The level of mulching did not significantly affect the marketable number of fruit.

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Performance and Tolerance to Phytophthora Blight of Bell Pepper Varieties

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.23.3.382 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 382-390 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Amara R. Dunn ◽

Lindsay E. Wyatt ◽

Michael Mazourek ◽

Stephen Reiners ◽

Christine D. Smart

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Phytophthora Capsici ◽

Fruit Size ◽

Bell Pepper ◽

Plant Structure ◽

Phytophthora Blight ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Breeding Lines ◽

History Of ◽

Low Incidence

In 2011, total marketable yield, fruit size, and number of lobes; fruit discoloration due to silvering; and plant structure were compared among eight commercial green bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) varieties and four breeding lines at three field sites in central New York. Tolerance to phytophthora blight (Phytophthora capsici) was also assessed at one of these sites. No wilting or plant death due to phytophthora blight was observed on the four breeding lines. ‘Paladin’, ‘Intruder’, and ‘Aristotle’ had the highest levels of tolerance to phytophthora blight, among the commercial varieties and maintained their yields in the presence of disease. In the absence of phytophthora blight, yields from these three varieties were comparable to susceptible varieties, but fruit tended to be smaller, and incidence of silvering was high in ‘Paladin’ and ‘Intruder’. Less silvering was observed on ‘Aristotle’ fruit. Total marketable yields from the breeding lines and percent of fruit with four lobes was comparable to the commercial varieties, and some breeding lines also had a low incidence of silvering, but fruit were smaller and set later in the season. Overall, this study suggests that ‘Paladin’, ‘Intruder’, and ‘Aristotle’ will yield well in fields with a history of severe phytophthora blight, but new large-fruited varieties with low incidence of silvering and good tolerance to phytophthora blight are needed.

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Evaluation of Pepper Root Rot Resistance in an Integrated Phytophthora Blight Management Program

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech03697-17 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 27 (3) ◽

pp. 408-415 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Charles S. Krasnow ◽

Andrew A. Wyenandt ◽

Wesley L. Kline ◽

J. Boyd Carey ◽

Mary K. Hausbeck

Keyword(s):

Root Rot ◽

Infected Plant ◽

The United States ◽

Management Program ◽

Bell Pepper ◽

Untreated Plot ◽

Phytophthora Blight ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Disease Symptoms ◽

Treated Plot

Phytophthora crown and root rot, incited by Phytophthora capsici, is an important and limiting disease in bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) production in many vegetable-producing areas of the United States. Soilborne oospores initiate disease when conditions are favorable, and polycyclic production of sporangia and zoospores occurs on infected plant tissue during the production season. Raised-bed plant culture, resistant cultivars, and oomycete-specific fungicides are commonly used to manage P. capsici. The objective of this study was to evaluate four bell pepper cultivars and four experimental breeding entries (collectively termed entries) for resistance to P. capsici in Michigan (MI) and New Jersey (NJ) and to determine the effect of a fungicide program on plant health and yield. The pepper cultivars included Camelot X3R (susceptible), Aristotle (intermediately resistant), and Paladin and Archimedes (resistant) for comparison. Disease symptoms included plant wilting and sunken necrotic stem lesions. In NJ, blighting of stems and foliage was also observed. In MI, >90% of the susceptible ‘Camelot X3R’ plants in the untreated plot wilted and died in both years of the study. All other entries had <10% plant wilting and death in 2014. In 2015, ‘Archimedes’ and ‘Paladin’ had <10% wilt and plant death; ‘Aristotle’, AP4835, 13SE12671, and AP4841 had 10% to 30% symptomatic plants. The fungicide program reduced disease to <10% for all entries except ‘Camelot X3R’ in 2014 and ‘Aristotle’ and ‘Camelot X3R’ in 2015. In NJ, ‘Paladin’, ‘Aristotle’, and ‘Camelot X3R’ (2014) and ‘Archimedes’, ‘Aristotle’, and ‘Camelot X3R’ (2015) had >30% plant wilting and death in the untreated plot. In the fungicide-treated plot, AP4841, AP4835, and AP4839 (2014), and AP4839 (2015) had <10% of plants with disease symptoms; ‘Camelot X3R’ and ‘Aristotle’ had >40% plant wilting and death in both years. In MI, marketable yield for ‘Paladin’ in fungicide-treated and untreated plots was significantly higher than the other entries in both years (P < 0.05). AP4839 was the highest yielding entry in NJ in the untreated plot, and AP4839 and ‘Archimedes’ were highest yielding in the fungicide-treated plot in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Fruit size for 13SE12671 was the largest among entries in both locations. There was no entry × fungicide program interaction in MI.

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(29) Effects of Colored Plastic Mulches on Bell Pepper Yield and Fruit Characteristics

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.41.4.1075d ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 41 (4) ◽

pp. 1075D-1076

Author(s):

Maurice Ogutu

Keyword(s):

Fruit Weight ◽

Bell Pepper ◽

Bare Ground ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Fruit Characteristics ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Capsicum Annum ◽

Bell Peppers

A study was carried out to compare the effects of different colored plastic mulches (black smooth, red, black embossed, blue, olive, yellow, clear, white, and reflective) and bare ground on bell peppers (Capsicum annum) yield and fruit characteristics. Pepper varieties `Crusader' (2004 trial) and `Boynton Bell F1' (2005 trial) seeds were planted in flats filled with Jiffy Mix in a greenhouse in late Apr. 2004 and 2005, and the seedlings transplanted in early June 2004 and 2005, respectively. In 2004, pepper fruits were harvested once in early September, and reflective and black embossed plastic mulch treatments had higher U.S. No. 1 fruit weight than other treatments. Pepper fruits harvested from reflective plastic mulch treatment were longer and larger than fruits in other treatments. In 2005, pepper fruits were harvested three times in late September to early October, and plants grown in reflective and red plastic mulch treatments had higher Fancy fruit weights while olive and white plastic mulch treatments had higher U.S. No. 1 fruit weights than other treatments. Fruits from reflective and red plastic mulch treatments were longer and larger than fruits from other treatments. The total marketable yield (Fancy and U.S. No. 1 fruit weight combined) was higher in olive, reflective, white, and red plastic mulch treatments. In comparison with black embossed plastic mulch, plants grown in reflective and olive plastic mulches had higher yield in 2004. However, in 2005, yield followed the same trend, with plants grown in olive, white, and reflective plastic mulches having higher yield than other treatments.

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Effect of Planting Method, Mulch, and Rowcover Combinations on Yield and Fruit Quality of `Earliqueen' Muskmelon

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.33.3.475a ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 33 (3) ◽

pp. 475a-475

Author(s):

David T. Handley ◽

Sheri I. Koller ◽

James F. Dill

Keyword(s):

Total Yield ◽

Growth Period ◽

Direct Seeding ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Early Maturity ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Black Plastic ◽

Marketable Fruit ◽

Planting Method

Three techniques to enhance the development and yield of `Earliqueen' muskmelon, including transplanting, plastic mulch, and rowcovers, were applied in all combinations to determine which practice or practices offered the most beneficial effects on early maturity, and total marketable yield. Using transplants (two true leaf stage) as opposed to direct seeding had the greatest effect on increasing early yield. Black plastic mulch also significantly increased early yield. Rowcovers did not provide an overall increase in early yield, although the highest early yield was achieved from the transplant/mulch/rowcover combination. Black plastic mulch had the greatest effect on total marketable yield. Transplanting also significantly increased total yield. A slight increase observed for rowcover treatments was not significant. The combination of transplanting/plastic mulch/rowcover produced the highest marketable yield of any treatment. Direct seeding combined with no mulch produced the lowest yields and the lowest percent of marketable fruit. Under the conditions of a prolonged, cool, cloudy spring, followed by a hot, dry summer, the use of transplants and black plastic mulch provided significant increases in marketable yield of `Earliqueen' muskmelons. Rowcovers did not provide significant yield effects, probably due to low light levels during the early growth period.

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Amelioration of Blossom-end Rot of Bell Pepper by Rowcovers and Supplemental Calcium

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.32.3.530b ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 32 (3) ◽

pp. 530B-530

Author(s):

George H. Clough ◽

Shara E. Alexander

Keyword(s):

Irrigation System ◽

Total Yield ◽

Bell Pepper ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Yield And Quality ◽

Supplemental Calcium ◽

Blossom End Rot ◽

Black Plastic ◽

Calcium Fertilization

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.

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Biosolids–Yard Trimming Composts Increases Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Yields

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.30.4.892f ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 892F-893

Author(s):

Nancy E. Roe ◽

Peter J. Stoffella

Keyword(s):

Capsicum Annuum ◽

Cucumis Sativus ◽

Sandy Soil ◽

Sandy Soils ◽

Bell Pepper ◽

Cucumis Sativus L ◽

Capsicum Annuum L ◽

Pepper Fruit ◽

Marketable Fruit ◽

Polyethylene Mulch

Composts may improve crop growth in sandy soils. A biosolids-yard trimming compost (C) was incorporated into sandy soil at 134 t·ha–1 (49.7% moisture) before applying polyethylene mulch. Fertilizer (F) was applied at 0%, 50%, and 100% of the grower's rate (71N–39P–44K t·ha–1 broadcast and 283N–278K t·ha–1 banded in bed centers). `Elisa' pepper transplants were planted 20 Jan. 1994. Marketable fruit weights were 20, 31, and 32 t·ha–1 without C and 30, 35, and 32 t·ha–1 with C for 0%, 50%, and 100% F, respectively. Pepper fruit weights increased with increasing F rates and were higher in plots with C than without C. Without removing mulch, `Thunder' cucumbers were seeded on 26 Sept. 1994. Marketable fruit weights were similar at the three F levels, but were 23 and 27 t·ha–1 without and with C, respectively. One application of C significantly increased bell pepper yields and a subsequent cucumber crop.

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Spunbonded Rowcover and Calcium Fertilization Improve Quality and Yield in Bell Pepper

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.33.7.1150 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 33 (7) ◽

pp. 1150-1152 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Shara E. Alexander ◽

George H. Clough

Keyword(s):

Irrigation System ◽

Total Yield ◽

Bell Pepper ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Yield And Quality ◽

Blossom End Rot ◽

Black Plastic ◽

Calcium Fertilization

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.

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