BULLETIN 444 BULLETN 444FEBRUARY 1973 Production Practices for Pimiento Pepper- I. 4 4 Fertilizer Rates, Plant Spacings, and Varietal Strains I AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION / AUBURN UNIVERSITY R. Dennis Rouse, Director Auburn, Alabama CONTENTS Page EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES R ESU LTS -......... - 4 ----5 ........... -- ... ... ... .. DISCUSSION --------------------SUMMARY .. LITERATURE CITED - --- - .-- --- -- 1 2 --- 15 16 FIRST PRINTING 4M, MARCH 1973 Production Practices for Pimiento PepperFertilizer Rates, Plant Spacings, and Varietal Strains W. A. JOHNSON, CLYDE E. EVANS, M. H. HOLLINGSWORTH and E. L. MAYTON' PMIENTO PEPPER acreage in Alabama was very low prior to 1950. However, interest in this crop increased considerably after 1950 and by 1961 an estimated acreage of 8,000 was grown (1). Since 1961 the acreage has stabilized between 6,500 to 7,000 acres most of which is in the Sandstone Plateaus and eastern Piedmont soil areas. Almost all production is under a contract arrangement with processors. In 1971 more than 1,200 Alabama families grew pimiento pepper for processing on 6,757 acres, earning an average of $1,341 per family (6). Alabama ranks first in the nation in pimiento pepper production. Only a few experiments on spacing and fertilization of pimientos have been reported. Experiments in Georgia during the period 1943-1953 resulted in a suggested spacing of 21/2 to 3 feet in rows 3/ to 4 feet wide (2,4,5). Dempsey and Brantley (5) suggested that 600 to 800 pounds of a 4-8-8 grade fertilizer be applied in the row before planting and 150 to 200 pounds of 14-0-14 grade fertilizer be sidedressed twice. This rate of fertilization would provide approximately 70 to 90 pounds N per acre. Research conducted more recently in Mississippi using spacings of 15, 21, 27, and 33 inches in 40-inch rows indicated that 21 inches was the best spacing (8). In 1971, Hammett, Crockett, Albriton, and Waggoner (9) suggested the use of 90 to 120 pounds N per acre with the higher rate for irrigation and for sandy soils. If a soil test were not made to determine P and K needs, they 1 Assistant Professor, Department of Horticulture; Associate Professor, Department of Agronomy and Soils; Superintendent, North Alabama Horticulture Substation; and Superintendent, Piedmont Substation. 4 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION suggested about 40 pounds of P and 75 pounds of K (90 pounds each of P2 0 5 and K20). Alabama growers usually space plants 24 to 30 inches in rows 42 to 48 inches wide. The fertilizer rate suggested for Alabama growers prior to 1972 was 160 pounds of N with P and K applied according to soil test results. In 1972 the nitrogen rate for soil test recommendations was changed to 100 pounds of N per acre (3). Results reported in this publication support the 100pound recommendation. Objectives of this study were to determine the effects of different rates of fertilizer and spacing of plants on production of pimiento pepper. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES These experiments were conducted at the North Alabama Horticulture Substation at Cullman on a Hartsells soil and at the Piedmont Substation at Camp Hill on a Cecil Soil. Soil samples were taken at each location and analyzed by the Auburn University Soil Testing Laboratory, Table 1. A randomized block design with four replications was used through all experiments. At Cullman, the fertilizer treatments before setting plants consisted of 40-35-67, 80-70-133, and 120-105-200 (N-P-K) per acre TABLE 1. SOIL TEST VALUES OF FERTILIZER RATES EXPERIMENT Locations Years Fertilizer' areas Soil test values and ratings of area in 2 which fertilizer rates were applied Mg P K pH Ca Lb. Lb. Lb. Lb. 6.5 6.4 6.3 6.8 6.2 6.0 5.2 6.0 736-(H) 1,008-(H) 140-(H) 944-(H) 150-(H) 944-(H) 145-(H) 236-(H) 96-(H) 242-(H) 108-(H) 246-(H) 90-(H) 86-(H) 75-(H) 69-(H) 90-(H) 120-(H) North Alabama Horticulture Substation, Cullman 1969 Low rate Med. rate High rate Low rate Med. rate High rate All rates 3 1972 238-(H) 762-(H) 179-(H) 272-(H) 718-(H) 198-(H) 674-(H) 219-(VH) 335-(H) 28-(L) 81-(L) 212-(H) 269-(H) Piedmont Substation, Camp Hill 1969 1971 1In 1969, before fertilizer had been applied, soil samples were taken from the areas which were to receive the different fertilizer rates. In March of 1972 the samples were taken after 3 years of fertilizer rate application. 2 Fertility level: Low (L), Medium (M), High (H), and Very High (VH). 3 Plantings at the Piedmont Substation were made on a different area each year, therefore, the sample was a composite of entire test area. PRODUCTION PRACTICES FOR PIMIENTO PEPPER 5 which is equivalent to 800, 1,600, and 2,400 pounds per acre of a 5-10-10 grade (N-P20 5 -K 20), respectively. All fertilizer, except 300 pounds, was applied broadcast and incorporated with the soil, and the remaining 300 pounds per acre applied in the row before planting. Nitrogen at rates of 40, 80, and 120 pounds per acre, respectively was applied in two equal sidedress applications; the first 5 to 6 weeks and the second 10 to 12 weeks after plants were set. Three plant spacings of 12, 18, and 24 inches in the row were used at each rate of fertilizer. Rows were 44 inches wide. The Truhart strains, King Pharr and Pomona, and the Bighart strains, SL (Smooth Leaf) and KL (Keel Leaf) were used at this location. The Bighart strains were recently released by the Auburn University Agricultural Experiment Station (7). This study was started in 1969 and continued through 1971. Results for 1970 at Cullman are not combined with the 1969 and 1971 results because of a poor stand in one of the treatments; the data for 1970 are given in Appendix Table to show that the yield trend was similar to that obtained in the other 2 years. Supplemental irrigation was used when moisture was deficient. Data obtained consisted of marketable yields, pod size, number of marketable pods per plant, and per cent of plants lodged. At Camp Hill, the fertilizer rates, method of application, and spacing treatments were the same as at Cullman. A 1-3-2 ratio of fertilizer rather than 1-2-2 was used because of low soil test P. The row width was 42 inches. One strain of pimiento pepper was used in the study each year; Bighart SL in 1969 and Truhart-King Pharr in 1971. Because of a long drought period in 1970, and the unavailability of irrigation, a stand of pepper was not obtained. Data obtained at this location consisted of marketable and non-marketable yields. In this publication the early marketable yields at both locations have been reported separately to give an indication of what might be expected with a once over mechanical harvest. RESULTS Average yields for both locations for 1969 and 1971 are given in Figures 1, and 2, and Tables 2, 3, and 4. Pod sizes are given in Table 5, number of pods per plant in Table 6, and per cent lodging in Table 7. 6 TABLE 2. PIMIENTO ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL TOTAL PEPPER EXPERIMENT STATION VARIETAL DIFFERENT MARKETABLE FROM RATES YIELDS OF OF DIFFERENT WITH STRAINS 1971 OF FERTILIZER SPACINGS OF PLANTS, NORTH ALABAMA HORTICULTURE SUBSTATION, 1969 AND Treatments Fertilizer per acre At planting K N P Lb. Lb. Lb. (800 lb. 5-10-10) 40 35 40 35 40 35 67 67 67 Side N Lb. 40 40 40 80 80 80 120 120 120 Spacing in row In. 12 18 24 12 18 24 12 18 24 Tru- Total marketable yields per acre (2-year average) hartKing Pharr Tons 7.59 8.17 6.85 6.84 6.99 6.58 6.93 7.13 5.95 7.00 Bighart SL Tons Bighart Tru- KL hartPomona Tons 8.65 7.49 6.55 8.12 6.66 6.78 6.98 6.60 5.87 7.07 Av. Tons 8.58 7.60 6.17 8.46 7.85 6.98 7.48 6.82 6.10 7.34 N.S. Tons 8.47 8.05 6.50 7.86 7.27 6.87 7.22 6.94 5.90 7.24 N.S. 9.04 8.95 6.45 8.00 7.57 7.14 7.49 7.20 5.74 7.51 (1,600 lb. 5-10-10) 133 80 70 80 70 183 80 70 133 (2,400 lb. 5-10-10) 120 105 200 120 105 200 120 105 200 Av. yields LSD at .05 level between spacing within a fertilizer LSD at .05 level between varieties 40 80 120 35 70 140 Average yields for 3 spacings by fertilizer rates 67 40 3 spacings 7.54 8.15 7.45 133 80 3 spacings 6.81 7.57 7.76 200 120 3 spacings 6.67 6.81 6.80 0.87 7.56 7.19 6.46 7.67 7.33 6.68 0.44 LSD at .05 level between fertilizers LSD at .05 level between fertilizers within a variety 3 fertilizer rates 3 fertilizer rates 3 fertilizer rates Average yields for 3 fertilizer rates by spacing 12 7.12 8.18 8.17 18 7.43 7.91 7.43 24 6.46 6.44 6.41 0.67 7.92 6.92 6.38 7.85 7.42 6.42 0.34 LSD at .05 level between spacings LSD at .05 level between spacings within a variety 1 Fertilizer at planting was applied broadcast and incorporated into the soil with the exception of 300 pounds per acre which was applied in the row. 2 The N sidedress was applied in 2 equal applications; the first application was made 5 to 6 weeks and the second 10 to 12 weeks after planting. Fertilizer Rates. At Cullman marketable yields for the average of all spacings from the low rate of fertilizer (80 N, 35 P, and 67 K), were as high or higher than yields from the medium rate (160 N, 70 P, and 133 K) and, with the exception of Bighart KL, were greater than yields produced from the high rate of fertilizer (240 N, 105 P, and 200 K), Table 2. PRODUCTION PRACTICES FOR PIMIENTO PEPPER Tons per acre Tons per acre 0 ® 12"spacing 18" spacing 24spacing Camp Hill -9 9 Cullman 8 7 -7 6 8 - 6 Low Medium High Low Medium High Fertilizer rates Fertilizer rates FIG. 1. Average marketable yields of pimiento pepper from low, medium, and high rates of fertilizer at three spacings at Cullman and Camp Hill. The early yields are reported in Table 3 to indicate yields that could be expected at a once-over mechanical harvest. The effect of fertilizer rate on the early yields was more pronounced than that on the total yield. When averaged across all strains and spacings, there was a stepwise reduction as the fertilizer rates were increased from low to medium or to high. Both Bighart strains produced higher early yields than the Truhart strains. At Camp Hill, the results for total marketable yield was similar to those at Cullman, Table 4. Increasing the rate of complete fertilizer resulted in a decrease in yield of pimientos. The reduction was greatest at the higher rate of fertilizer. Compared to the results at Cullman the early yield was less affected by fertilizer rates. Plant Spacing. At Cullman the 12-inch spacing generally gave the highest yields with only a small reduction for the 18-inch spacing, Table 2 and Figure 2. When averaged across all fertilizer rates the Bighart KL gave a stepwise reduction as spacings were changed from 12 to 18 to 24 inches. Likewise, when averaged across all fertilizer rates and varietal strains there was a stepwise reduction in yield for the 12-to 18-to 24-inch spacings. The effect of spacing on early yield was similar to that for total yields, Table 8 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION 3. The 24-inch spacing gave the lowest yields for all strains. At the 18-inch spacing the yield of Bighart KL and the average yields across all strains were reduced compared to that at 12 inches. TABLE 3. PIMIENTO EARLY MARKETABLE PEPPER FROM RATES YIELDS OF OF DIFFERENT WITH VARIETAL DIFFERENT STRAINS OF FERTILIZER SPACINGS OF PLANTS, NORTH ALABAMA HORTICULTURE SUBSTATION, 1969 AND 1971 Treatments Fertilizer per acre At planting At planting Side Side" N N P K Lb. Lb. Lb. Lb. (800 lb. 5-10-10) 40 35 40 35 35 40 67 67 67 40 40 40 80 80 80 120 120 120 Early marketable yields per acre (2-year average) Spacing in row In. 12 18 24 12 18 24 12 18 24 TruhartKing Pharr Tons 2.70 2.56 1.75 1.98 1.57 1.67 1.38 1.54 0.97 1.79 Bighart SL Tons 3.47 3.84 2.10 2.76 2.91 2.24 2.30 2.13 1.41 2.57 Bighart KL Tons 3.54 2.19 1.95 3.07 2.66 2.11 3.07 2.82 1.76 2.57 0.42 TruhartPomona Tons 3.06 2.54 1.87 2.45 2.10 2.21 1.86 1.79 0.96 2.09 Av. Tons 3.19 2.78 1.92 2.57 2.81 2.09 2.15 2.07 1.27 2.26 0.34 (1,600 lb. 5-10-10) 133 80 70 70 133 80 133 70 80 (2,400 lb. 120 120 120 5-10-10) 200 105 105 200 105 200 Av. yields LSD at .05 level between spacing within a fertilizer LSD at .05 level between varieties 40 80 120 35 70 105 Average yields for 3 spacings by fertilizer rates 2.56 67 40 3 spacings 2.34 3.14 2.62 2.64 133 80 3 spacings 1.74 1.95 2.55 200 120 8 spacings 1.30 0.58 2.49 2.26 1.53 2.63 2.31 1.83 0.28 LSD at .05 level between fertilizers LSD at .05 level between fertilizers within a variety Average yields for 3 fertilizer rates by spacing All fert. rates All fert. rates All fert. rates 12 18 24 2.02 1.89 1.46 2.85 2.96 1.92 3.23 2.56 1.94 0.40 2.46 2.14 1.68 2.64 2.39 1.75 0.24 LSD at .05 level between spacings LSD at .05 level between spacings within a variety SFertilizer at planting was applied broadcast and incorporated into the soil with the exception of 300 pounds per acre which was applied in the row. 2 The N sidedress was applied in 2 equal applications; the first application was made 5 to 6 weeks and the second 10 to 12 weeks after planting. PRODUCTION PRACTICES FOR PIMIENTO PEPPER 9 Tons per acre 9Cullman 0 Low fert. rate Med. fert. rate High fert. rate Tons per acre Camp Hill -9 8 F i!Fi~ 17i 8 6 Spacing in row Spacing in row FIG. 2. Average marketable yields of pimiento pepper from 12-, 18-, and 24-inch spacing at three fertilizer rates at Cullman and Camp Hill. At Camp Hill the yields for 12- and 18-inch spacings were similar but there was a reduction in yield at the 24-inch spacing, Table 4 and Figure 2. There was little effect of spacing on early yields at this location. Pod Size and Number per Plant. At Cullman the average pod size for each strain at the low fertilizer rate was consistently larger than pod size from either the medium or high rate of fertilizer, Table 5. For all strains the pod size was consistently smaller at the 12-inch spacing with little or no difference in size between the 18- and 24-inch spacings. Average pod size varied between strains. To produce one pound of fruit required 7.8 pods for Truhart-Pomona, 7.1 for Truhart-King Pharr, 6.0 for Bighart SL, and 5.0 pods for Bighart KL. Rates of fertilizer had some effect on number of pods per plant for some of the strains. The high rate of fertilizer reduced the number of pods per plant 14.1 per cent for Truhart-Pomona, 7.3 per cent for Bighart SL and 7.0 per cent for the average of all varieties, Table 6. Spacing between plants also affected the number of pods per plant. The number of pods increased from 8.8 for the 12-inch spacing to 11.3 for 18-inch and to 13.6 pods per 10 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION TABLE 4. YIELDS OF PIMIENTO PEPPER FROM RATES OF FERTILIZER WITH DIFFERENT SPACINGS OF PLANTS, PIEDMONT SUBSTATION, 1969 AND 1971 Treatments Fertilizer per acre At planting' N Lb. P Lb. K Lb. 67 67 67 Side Lb. 40 40 40 Spacing in row Yields per acre (2-year average) Marketable Early In. 12 18 24 12 18 24 Tons 2.28 2.22 1.75 2.34 1.86 1.55 1.40 1.53 1.31 1.80 Total Tons 7.59 8.46 6.04 7.20 7.25 5.22 5.32 5.45 4.87 6.38 Tons 1.66 1.72 1.08 2.02 1.99 1.51 Nonmarketable (800 b. 5-10-10) 40 53 40 53 40 53 (1,600 lb. 5-10-10) 80 106 80 106 106 80 133 133 133 80 80 80 (2,400 lb. 5-10-10) 120 120 120 Av. yields 159 159 159 200 200 200 120 120 120 12 18 24 1.28 1.58 1.11 1.55 40 80 120 53 106 159 Average yields for 3 spacings by fertilizer rates 2.08 67 40 7.36 3 spacings 1.92 133 80 3 spacings 6.56 120 200 1.41 5.21 3 spacings N.S. 1.30 1.49 1.84 1.32 N.S. LSD at .05 level 3 fertilizer rates 3 fertilizer rates 3 fertilizer rates Average yield for 3 fertilizer rates by spacings 12 2.01 6.70 18 1.87 7.05 24 1.53 5.38 N.S. 1.00 1.65 1.76 1.23 N.S. LSD at .05 level 1Fertilizer at planting was applied broadcast and incorporated into the soil with the exception of 300 pounds per acre which was applied in the row. 2 The N sidedress was applied in 2 equal applications; the first application was made 5 to 6 weeks and the second 10 to 12 weeks after planting. plant for the 24-inch spacing. The number of pods per plant for each strain was related to pod size for that strain. The strains with small size pods had the largest number of pods per plant and those with the large pods had the smallest number of pods. Plant Lodging. At Cullman more plants lodged in 1970 than in 1971. Strains with the largest pods generally had the highest PRODUCTION PRACTICES FOR PIMIENTO PEPPER 11 TABLE 5. MARKETABLE POD SIZE BY VARIETAL STRAINS OF PIMIENTO PEPPER FROM RATES OF FERTILIZER WITH DIFFERENT SPACINGS OF PLANTS, NORTH ALABAMA HORTICULTURAL SUBSTATION, 1969 AND 1971 Treatments ---Tru- I Pod size (2-year average) Y Fertilizer per acre At planting' Side2 N P K N Lb. Lb. Lb. Lb. (800 lb. 5-10-10) 40 35 67 40 35 67 40 35 67 (1,600 lb. 5-10-10) 80 70 183 80 70 133 80 70 138 (2,400 lb. 5-10-10) 120 105 200 120 105 200 120 105 200 Av. size per pod 40 40 40 80 80 80 120 120 120 Spacing in row In. 12 18 24 12 18 24 12 18 24 hartKing Pharr Lb. .142 .151 .152 .137 .138 .149 .129 .142 .137 .142 Bighart SL Lb. .167 .188 .174 .154 .167 .162 .151 .160 .172 .166 Bighart KL Lb. .201 .215 .207 .195 .189 .212 Truhart Pomona Lb. .130 .138 .123 .128 .128 .133 .125 .127 .121 .128 Av. Lb. .160 .173 .164 .154 .156 .164 .149 .155 .159 .159 .190 .190 .205 .200 40 80 120 35 70 105 Average pod size for 3 spacings by fertilizer rates 67 40 3 spacings .148 .176 .208 .130 133 80 3 spacings .141 .161 .198 .130 200 120 3 spacings .1386 .161 .195 .124 .166 .158 .154 Average pod size for 3 fertilizer rates by spacings fertilizer rates 12 .136 .157 .195 .128 fertilizer rates 18 .144 .172 .198 .131 fertilizer rates 24 .146 .169 .208 .126 .154 .161 .162 1Fertilizer at planting was applied broadcast and incorporated into the soil with the exception of 300 pounds per acre which was applied in the row. 2 The N sidedress was applied in 2 equal applications; the first application was made 5 to 6 weeks and the second 10 to 12 weeks after planting. percentage of lodged plants. Bighart KL with the largest pods had the greatest percentage of lodged plants both years followed by Bighart SL in 1970, Table 7. With exception of TruhartKing Pharr and Bighart KL in 1970 there was a consistent increase in percentages of plants lodged as the fertilizer rate was increased from low to medium or from low to high. With exception of Bighart KL in 1970 and at the medium and high rates of fertilizer in 1971, there was a consistent increase in percentage of plants lodged as plant spacings were increased from 12 to 18 or 12 to 24 inches in row. The Bighart KL has a smaller plant type than the other strains. The combination of a small plant 12 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION TABLE 6. AVERAGE NUMBER MARKETABLE PODS PER PLANT BY VARIETAL STRAINS OF PIMIENTO PEPPER FROM RATES OF FERTILIZER WITH DIFFERENT SPACINGS OF PLANTS, NORTH ALABAMA HORTICULTURAL SUBSTATION, 1969 AND 1971 Treatments Fertilizer per acre At planting1 K P N Lb. Lb. Lb. (800 lb. 5-10-10) 40 35 35 40 40 35 67 67 67 Side2 N Lb. 40 40 40 80 80 80 120 120 120 Spacing in row In. 12 18 24 12 18 24 12 18 24 Marketable pods per plant (2-year average) TruBighat hartKinghart SL Pharr No. 9.0 12.7 14.7 9.0 12.2 14.9 9.4 12.5 14.2 12.0 No. 8.9 11.6 12.5 9.2 10.6 14.6 8.7 10.5 11.4 10.9 Bigat KL No. 7.3 8.5 9.8 7.2 10.0 10.7 6.6 8.4 9.8 8.7 Trurhart Pomona No. 11.2 13.5 17.9 10.1 13.1 16.9 8.9 12.0 15.6 13.2 Av. No. 9.1 11.6 13.7 8.9 11.5 14.3 8.4 10.9 12.8 11.2 (1,600 lb. 5-10-10) 80 70 133 133 80 70 80 70 133 (2,400 lb. 5-10-10) 120 105 200 105 200 120 105 200 120 Av. pods per plant Average number of pods 67 40 40 35 70 133 80 80 200 120 120 105 per plant for 3 spacings by fertilizer rates 11.0 8.5 14.2 11.5 3 spacings 12.1 11.5 11.4 9.3 13.4 3 spacings 12.0 8.3 12.2 10.7 10.2 3 spacings 12.0 Average number of pods per plant for 3 fertilizer rates by spacings 8.9 7.0 10.1 8.8 3 fertilizer rates 12 9.1 3 fertilizer rates 18 12.5 10.9 9.0 12.9 11.3 3 fertilizer rates 24 14.6 12.8 10.1 16.8 13.6 SFertilizer at planting was applied broadcast and incorporated into the soil with the exception of 300 pounds per acre which was applied in the row. 2 The N sidedress was applied in 2 equal applications; the first application was made 5 to 6 weeks and the second 10 to 12 weeks after planting. and larger pods probably accounts for the greater amount of lodging in this strain. DISCUSSION In this study it is shown that high rates of fertilizer may reduce yields of pimiento. Yields were highest when the low rate of fertilizer, 80 N-35 P-67 K was applied. Applications of higher rates of fertilizer resulted in reduced yields. Since most of the fertilizer was broadcast there was no visible fertilizer injury to PRODUCTION PRACTICES FOR PIMIENTO PEPPER TABLE 7. PERCENTAGE OF PLANTS THAT LODGED BY VARIETAL STRAINS PIMIENTO PEPPER FROM RATES OF FERTILIZER WITH DIFFERENT SPACINGS OF PLANTS, NORTH ALABAMA HORTICULTURE SUBSTATION, 1970 AND 1971 OF 13 Treatments Plants lodged Fertilizer per acre TruhartBighart Bighart Truhart Pomona KL SL Side2 Spacing King Pharr At planting' in row N P K N 1970 1971 1970 1971 1970 1971 1970 1971 Lb. Lb. In. Pct. Pct. Pct. Pct. Pct. Pct. Pct. Pct. Lb. Lb. (800 lb. 40 40 40 5-10-10) 35 67 35 67 35 67 40 40 40 80 80 80 120 120 120 12 18 24 12 18 24 12 18 24 30 27 44 35 55 22 20 26 33 0 6 0 7 13 26 2 10 13 45 80 78 54 76 72 71 83 71 6 16 22 13 28 33 13 33 29 93 100 100 83 100 93 88 100 100 31 69 83 77 81 75 97 94 96 4 25 11 0 9 35 11 26 33 4 0 27 13 10 13 11 22 26 8 12 18 (1,600 lb. 5-10-10) 80 70 133 80 70 133 80 70 133 (2,400 120 120 120 40 80 120 lb. 5-10-10) 105 200 105 200 105 200 Average per cent of plants lodged for 3 spacings by fertilizer rates 35 67 40 3 spacings 33 2 65 13 97 55 13 70 133 80 3 spacings 38 13 66 22 92 77 13 105 200 120 3 spacings 27 7 75 23 94 89 22 Average per cent of plants lodged for 3 fertilizer rates by spacings 3 fertilizer rates 12 28 3 56 11 88 68 5 3 fertilizer rates 18 37 10 80 26 100 81 20 3 fertilizer rates 24 33 13 74 28 98 76 26 9 11 22 1 Fertilizer at planting was applied broadcast and incorporated into the soil with the exception of 300 pounds per acre which was applied in the row. 2The N sidedress was applied in 2 equal applications; the first application was made 5 to 6 weeks and the second 10 to 12 weeks after planting. the plants from the higher rates. In fact the higher rates of fertilizer resulted in a larger more vigorous looking plant. Apparently, the higher rates of fertilizer resulted in more vegetative growth at the expense of fruit set and pod growth. There were no marked differences in total marketable yields among the strains. In tests conducted by Greenleaf and Harris (7) it was shown that after flaming and coring of the pods there was a trimmed recovery of 59.4 per cent for Bighart strains for processing as compared to 53.0 per cent for the Truhart strains. This is a 12 per cent average gain of trimmed product for Bighart over the Truhart strains. If this 12 per cent increase were added 14 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION to the yields in Table 2 there would be a significant yield increase for the Bighart strains. At Cullman, 12-inch spacing gave higher yields than the 18inch spacing. The overall average difference was .43 ton of marketable pods which would be worth $47 at current market prices. It would take 3,000 more plants per acre for the 12-inch spacing as compared to the number required for the 18-inch spacing. Extra plants cost of $7 per 1,000 would be $21. This leaves $26 less the extra cost of transplanting and harvesting and handling .43 tons of pepper. The hand harvesting time for the 12-inch spacing will be increased considerably since pods are smaller and the number of pods to be picked would be increased about 18 per cent. Apparently little, if any increase in net profit would be realized for the closer spacing as compared to 18-inch spacing. If mechanical harvesting becomes a reality so that cost for plants, because of direct seeding, and cost for picking the increased number of small pods would not be a factor then the 12-inch spacing should be satisfactory. With pimiento pepper as with other crops the trend in harvesting is toward mechanization. Early harvest yields are shown in Table 3 to give some idea as to what may be expected from these strains if they were mechanically harvested in a once over operation. At the 12-inch spacings the Bighart strains consistently produced greater early yields than Truhart-King Pharr or TruhartPomona. The close spacing, 12 inches, for Bighart KL gave higher yields than the 18-inch spacing for the average of all fertilizer rates. Both Bighart strains for the average of all fertilizer rates consistently produced higher early yields than either of the Truhart strains at all 3 spacings. From the data it would appear that the Bighart strains would produce higher yields for mechanical harvest. The fact that total yields, in spite of greater early yields, are no greater for the Bighart strains than for the Truhart strains, might be attributed to greater lodging in the Bighart strains. Most lodging occurred late in' the harvest period when the mature pods were on the end of branches further from the main stems. Heavier pods produced on Bighart are probably responsible for the higher percentage of lodging when compared to the Truhart strains. PRODUCTION PRACTICES FOR PIMIENTO PEPPER 15 PRODUCTION PRACTICES FOR PIMIENTO PEPPER 1 SUMMARY Field experiments to study the effects of different rates of a complete fertilizer and different spacings in the row on yield of marketable grade pimiento peppers were conducted with four varietal strains for 3 years at Cullman and with one strain for 2 years at Camp Hill. The following results were obtained: The low rate of fertilizer produced yields as high as those produced with higher fertilizer rates at both locations. This rate was 40 N-35 P-67 K (40 N-80 P 20 5-80 K20) at Cullman and 40 N53 P-67 K (40 N-120 P 20 5-80 K20) at Camp Hill applied before planting plus 40 pounds of N as sidedress applications. At Cullman, where supplemental irrigation was used, the 12inch spacing gave highest yield, however, when extra cost of plants and hand harvesting of extra yield were considered, the 18-inch spacing appeared to give the best financial return. At Camp Hill, without irrigation, the yield from 18-inch spacing was as high as that from the 12-inch spacing. Pod size was consistently larger from the low fertilizer rate. At the 12-inch spacing pod size was consistently smaller than at either 18- or 24-inch spacing. Number of pods per plant was increased as spacing between plants was increased. There was an increase in number of plants that lodged when either the fertilizer rate was increased or when the spacing between plants was increased. 16 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION LITERATURE CITED (1) BAGBY, JOHN. 1962. Pepper Production Guide. Auburn University (2) (3) (4) (5) Coop. Ext. Ser. Cir. P-47. COCHRAN, H. L. 1943. Fertilizer and Other Experiments with Pimientos. Ga. Exp. Sta. Bull. 231. COPE, J. T. JR. 1972. Fertilizer Recommendations and Computer Program Key used by the Soil Testing Laboratory. Auburn University Agr. Exp. Sta. Cir. 176. COWART, F. F. AND A. H. DEMPSEY. 1949. 1958. Pimiento Production in Pimiento Production in Georgia. Ga. Exp. Sta. Bull. 259. Georgia. Ga. Exp. Sta. Bull. 277. (6) GLASSCOCK, M. R. 1971. Fruits and Vegetables. Alabama Agribusiness, Auburn University Coop. Ext. Ser. Vol. 9, No. 3. (7) GREENLEAF, W. DEMPSEY, A. H. AND B. B. BRANTLEY. H., M. H. HOLLINGSWORTH, HUBERT HARRIS, AND K. S. RYMAL. 1969. Bighart - Improved Variety of Pimiento Pepper. burn University Agr. Exp. Sta. Leaf. 78. (8) HAMMETT, H. L., S. P. CROCKETT, AND R. C. ALBRITTON. 1970. AuPi- miento Study Supports New Crop Growers. Miss. Farm Res. Vol. 33. No. 5. . ----(9 ) ---------------- --- --------------------- .... ., A ND B . E . WAGGONER. 1971. Fertilizer for Pimiento Peppers. Miss. Farm Res. Vol. 34. No. 5. APPENDIX TABLE. MARKETABLE YIELDS OF DIFFERENT OF PLANTS, VARIETAL NORTH STRAINS ALABAMA WITH DIFFERENT SPACINGS OF PIMIENTO PEPPER FROM RATES 1970 HORTICULTURE SUBSTATION, OF FERTILIZER Treatments Fertilizer per acre At planting' 2 Side N P K Lb. Lb. Lb. 5-10-0) 35 67 40 67 40 35 67 40 35 133 133 133 200 200 200 80 80 80 120 120 120 Spacing in row In. 12 18 24 12 18 24 12 18 24 Average 3 spacings 3 spacings 3 spacings TruhartKing Pharr Yield Tons 7.38 8.20 3.53 6.61 4.29 3.89 4.67 4.66 3.99 5.25 35 70 105 67 133 200 40 80 120 Stand Pct. 93 92 100 72 92 100 69 96 100 Marketable yields per acre and percent stand Bighart SL Yield Stand Tons Pct. 4.61 4.93 3.98 4.81 4.45 4.27 4.02 4.90 2.84 4.32 75 96 100 72 88 100 67 100 94 Bighart KL Yield Tons 4.40 3.27 3.89 6.07 5.77 4.72 4.34 4.06 2.94 4.38 91 82 85 Stand Pct. 78 100 94 67 96 83 67 87 100 TruhartPomona Yield Tons 5.43 4.23 4.36 6.31 4.86 3.54 4.82 2.69 4.06 4.48 4.67 4.90 3.86 84 84 86 Stand Pct. 69 83 100 67 92 94 78 79 100 Av. Tons 5.46 5.16 3.94 5.95 4.85 4.11 4.46 4.08 3.46 4.61 4.85 4.97 4.00 0 c -I z N Lb. (800 lb. 40 40 40 (1,600 lb. 5-10-10) 80 70 80 70 70 80 (2,400 lb. 5-10-10) 105 120 120 105 120 105 Av. yields 40 80 120 -I m 9 H7 0 mI =o zI -rr 0 m rr m ow yields for 3 spacings by fertilizer rates 3.85 92 4.51 90 6.37 5.52 4.51 87 4.93 88 3.92 87 3.78 4.44 88 Average yields for 3 fertilizer rates by spacings 5.29 71 5.52 71 4.48 71 4.94 12 6.22 75 8 fertilizer rates 3.93 85 4.70 95 4.37 94 93 4.76 18 5.72 3 fertilizer rates 3.99 98 3.84 98 3.85 92 24 3.80 100 3.70 3 fertilizer rates 1 Fertilizer at planting was applied broadcast and incorporated into the soil with the exception of 300 pounds per acre which was applied in the row. 2 The N sidedress was applied in 2 equal applications; the first application was made 5 to 6 weeks and the second 10 to 12 weeks after planting. AGRICIJJUR~AL EXPERIMENT STATION SYSTEM 7 OF ALABAMA S LAND-GRANT UNIVERSITY «'ith ani agiiriiltural rcsearch in it ini cverv matijor soil area, Aubur n L 0 $ University seiecs the needs of field croup, liv e stock, forestry, and horticultuiral p uoducers it) each region in Aiaboaa. Exvery citizen of the State has a stake in v V Ti O~ C 0 n o "- this rsearch p ogra , - since any adxvantage from nev and imore economical wx avs of p)roulcing and handling farm Irodllcts tlirectly benefits the coisiuming 0 _ . public. Research Unit Identification 1* Tennessee Valley Substation, Belie Mina. 2. Sand Mountain Substation, Crossville. 3. Nortn Alabama Horticulture Substation, Cullman 4. Upper Coastal Plain Substation, Winfield. 5. Forestry Unit, Fayette County. 6. Thorsby Foundation Seed Stocks Farm, Thorsby 7. Chilton Area Horticulture Substation, Clanton. 8. Forestry Unit, Coosa County. 9. Piedmont Substation, Camp Hill. 10. Plant Breeding Unit, Tallassee. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21 Forestry Unit, Autauga County. Prattville Experiment Field, Prattville. Black Belt Substation, Marion Junction. Tuskegee Experiment Field, Tuskegee. Lower Coastal Plain Substation, Camden. Forestry Unit, Barbour County. Monroeville Experiment Field, Monroev ille Wiregrass Substation, Headland. Brewton Experiment Field, Brewton. Ornamental Horticulture Field Station, Spring Hill Gulf Coast Substation, Fairhope.