Cultivar and plant arrangement effects on yield and fruit quality of bell pepper

Single- and double-row arrangements of a fixed population (one plant every 0.285 m(2)) were compared in factorial combination with two (2002) or five (2003) cultivars for effects on yield and fruit quality of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Arrangements for 2002 were S30, single rows 0.95 m apart, plants within rows 30 cm apart; D30,1.9 m between centers of double-row beds, double rows 30 cm apart on beds, plants within rows 30 cm apart; S37.5, single rows 0.76 m apart, plants within rows 37.5 cm apart; and D37.5, 1.52 m between centers of double-row beds, double rows 24 cm apart on beds, plants within rows 37.5 cm apart. Only the S30 and D30 arrangements were used in 2003 after 2002 results showed almost no differences between S30 and S37.5 or between D30 and D37.5. Choice of cultivar was more critical in Texas, where 'X3R Wizard' consistently outperformed 'King Arthur', than in Oklahoma. Single rows resulted in more full-season total marketable fruit weight than double rows in three experiments out of four, primarily as a result of an increased weight of U.S. No. I fruit with single rows. Average weight per marketable fruit was consistently unaffected by plant arrangement. Single rows also resulted in a greater full-season weight of sunburned fruit than double rows in two experiments out of four. Cultivar x plant arrangement interactions were not evident in Oklahoma and never involved full-season marketable fruit weights at either location in either year. Given the tested population, a single-row arrangement is likely to result in increased full-season production of U.S. No. I bell pepper fruit compared with a double-row arrangement, despite an increased potential for sunburned fruit with single rows.