Growth of green pepper in different spatial arrangements

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the growth of green pepper cv. Atlantis under different spatial arrangements. Three spacing arrangements between double and simple planting rows (1.5x0.5 m, 1.6x0.4 m and 1.7x0.3 m) and four spacing distances between plants in the rows (0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 m) combined in factorial scheme were evaluated. A randomized block design in split-plots divided in time with three replicates was used. The growth assessment was done in nine occasions, 14 days apart, and the first one was performed 14 days after transplanting (DAT). Leaf area (LA), leaf area index (LAI), dry masses of leaves (LDM), stem (SDM), fruit (FrDM) and total shoot (TDM); absolute growth rate (AGR), rates of net assimilation (NAR) and relative growth (RGR); and leaf area (LAR) and leaf mass (LWR) ratios were evaluated until 126 DAT. The changes in LA, RGR, LWR and LAR did not depend on row spacing, but spacing influenced LDM, SDM, FrDM and TDM, LAI and AGR. The increase in spacing reduces LAI and LAR, and increases LA, LDM, SDM, FrDM, TDM, AGR and NAR, but does not influence RGR and LWR.