Summary for: Pepper fertilization practices in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Bob Wiedenfeld, Lynn Brandenberger and Don Makus. Subtropical Plant Science Journal Vol. 47:59-64. 1995. Reprint available upon request from the authors.
Key words include: Nitrogen, soil test.
Report includes 7 tables: Tables list fertilizer treatments, soil sample analyses, pepper yield and quality characteristics, and storge parameters.
Summary: Fertilization programs for bell peppers in the Lower Rio Grande Valley often include substantial amounts of several plant nutrients including N, P, K, Ca and S. Preplant soil tests showed NO3-N levels were low at one location and high at the other. All other plant nutrients were found to be high or very high in the soil at both locations. Nitrogen application where preplant soil NO3-N was low resulted in a substantial yield increase and improvements in fruit weight, fruit volume, fruit density, wall thickness, wall strength, and carotenoid and chlorophyll a and b content. No other nutrient application at either location, nor N application at the site where prelant soil NO3-N levels were high significantly affected any parameter measured.