The response of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L. 'California Wander') to plant density under field conditions

This study was conducted to determine the effects of different plant densities (20x50, 30x50, 20x100, 30x100 cm) on plant growth characteristics and fruit yield of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) in open field. Plant height, flower number, plant yield, fruit seed number, 1000-seed weight, and vitamin C were assessed at immature and mature. The results indicated that vegetative growth characteristics (plant height, lateral stem number, and leaf number) reduced as plant density increased. The highest plant height, lateral stem number, and leaf number were obtained in plants density 30x100 cm. It was observed that reproductive factors (flower number, fruit weight, plant yield and seed number in fruit) decreased with increasing plant density, but total yield per hectare increased as plant density increased. The highest and lowest yields per hectare were obtained by plant densities 20x50 and 30x100 cm, respectively. Also, plant density significantly affected on vitamin C, and the highest vitamin C was observed in 30x100 cm spacing.