Response of bell pepper grown inside plastic houses to nitrogen fertigation

Abstract

Two field experiments were conducted for two consecutive seasons inside plastic houses to evaluate bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) response to nitrogen fertigation. Nitrogen fertilizers were applied through irrigation water at rates of zero, 150, 250, and 350 N kg ha^‐1. The crops were irrigated in weekly bases with the amount of water equivalent to 80% of the E Pan reading. All treatments were replicated four times in a randomized complete block design. Five plants were sampled from each experimental unit at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 days after planting. Growth rate, nutrient uptake and yield were determined. The results indicate that the yield and marketable number of fruits in both seasons increased with the addition of nitrogen. The highest yield was obtained with the addition of 150 kg N ha^‐1. The maximum growth rate and the maximum rate of accumulation of dry matter in the fruits occurred during the period of 90 to 150 days after planting. This may indicate that the peak of the pepper N requirement and utilization would be during the same period of the maximum growth rate. Increasing the rates of nitrogen applied increased the uptake of nitrogen by the plants and at the same time stimulated the uptake of potassium and phosphorus through the synergistic effect of nitrogen on both nutrients.