David L. Coffey

Plasticulture studies were continued on bell pepper. Total marketable fruit yields of 4.5, 3.0, 3.2 ,and 4.5 tons/acre were obtained from plants grown on silver, white, and black and silver/black striped plastic mulches, respectively. Number of fruits produced per plant was greatest from plants grown on silver, suggesting that the silver color is influencing the number of fruits set . Individual fruits were fewer in number, but significantly larger from plants grown on black plastic than from those grown on the other mulches. Fruit set as indicated by number of fruits too small to be of marketable size at termination of the experiment was significantly greater from plants grown on silver mulch.

Research involving plasticulture technology was continued at The University of Tennessee Knoxville Experiment Station in 2002 to determine means to increase the yield and quality of bell peppers. Higher yields of larger, better grade-out fruits than are currently achieved by most growers of bell peppers for the fresh market are needed for growers to maximize their returns from the production of this crop.

Materials and Methods

Field plots were established in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Mulches evaluated were the four plastic colors, silver, white and black, and silver/black stripped. Rows were 20 ft long on 8 ft centers and were equipped with trickle irrigation. Seeds of the cultivar ‘Camelot’ were planted on April 1, 2002 and transplanted on May 14, 2002. Transplanting occurred in staggered double rows with rows and plants spaced 18 in. apart on the plastic with 50 plants per plot. Plots were fertilized with a broadcast application 500 lbs/a 10-10-10 prior to transplanting. Plots were fertigated weekly beginning June 01, 2002 and continuing until final pepper harvest with alternate applications of CaNO3, KNO3, and NH₄NO₃. Fruits were harvested four times beginning July 16 and ending July 30. All data were analyzed by ANOVA methods and means of significant treatment differences were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at the 0.05 level of probability.

Table 1. Numbers and marketable percentages of bell pepper fruits from plants grown on colored plastic mulch at The University of Tennessee Knoxville Experiment Station, 2002.

Table2 Individual and total marketable weights of bell pepper fruits from plants grown on colored plastic mulch at The University of Tennessee Knoxville Experiment Station, 2002.

Means in a column followed by the same letter do not differ significantly according to Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at P= 0.05.

Email all comments and suggestions to ghonea@utk.edu
Copyright © 1999 by The University of Tennessee. All rights reserved.

This research represents one season's data and does not constitute recommendations.  After sufficient data is collected over the appropriate number of seasons, final recommendations will be made through research and extension publications.