The influence of row covers and plant population density on the growth and productivity of bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L.

An interlocking group of studies was conducted to examine the effects of row covers and plant population density on the growth and productivity of field-grown bell peppers.;Row covers enhanced reproductive and vegetative yield per plant and per land area. Increasing plant population densities resulted in decreasing yield per plant, but increasing yield per land area. Furthermore, the effect of row covers on yield was greater at low population densities than high.;The number of nodes was the most important contributor to variation in reproductive and total plant yield. Fruit weight as a proportion of total plant yield was also a major contributor to reproductive yield. The analysis showed the importance of row covers in the initial stages of growth, and the increasing importance of plant population density as growth proceeded.;Allometric relationships defining fruit and plant morphology changed during growth, and were also affected by row covers and plant population density. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).