Influence of spacing and phosphorus fertilisation on fresh yields of sweet peppers

Abstract

The effects of six spacings (90 by 90, 90 by 60, 90 by 30, 60 by 60, 60 by 30, and 30 by 30 cm) and four levels of phosphorus (0, 44, 88 and 132 kg P/ha) on yield of sweet pepper was investigated during the long and short rains. Number of fruits per plant increased with increasing spacing between and within rows, while the total fruit fresh yields were at a spacing of increased plant population. In both seasons, the highest fruit fresh yields were at a spacing of 39 by 30 cm in all P treatments. Fresh fruit yields increased with decreasing spacing from 90 by 30cm to 30 by 30 cm. Fruits from plants at a spacing of 30 by 30 cm were smaller than those for other spacings. Thus 60 by 30cm was optimal spacing for growing peppers for fresh market. Application of 44 kg/ha resulted in optimum production of fresh fruit yield of sweet pepper. Hence the average national yields can be increased from 8 to 23 t/ha by using a spacing of 60 by 30 cm and 44 kg P2O5/ha, thus giving the optimum fruit yield of sweet pepper.