EFFECT OF FLAT CELL-SIZE, TRANSPLANT AGE, AND PRODUCTION SITE ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF PEPPER TRANSPLANTS

''Yolo Wonder L'' pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) transplants produced in two locations (Florida and Kentucky [USA]) and in flats of five cell sizes were compared for fruit productivity in Kentucky. Transplants grown in large cells in both locations produced greater early yields than those from small cells, but did not produce greater total yields. Transplants grown in Speedling cell size 175 (39.5 cm3) possessed greater height, leaf area, and dry weight at field-setting and produced greater early fruit yields than did plants grown in smaller cells. Transplants grown in Speedling trays in Kentucky, but fertilized differently than those grown in Florida, produced greater early and total yields than Speedling transplants grown in Florida. Sixty-day-old seedlings transplanted into the field produced significantly larger early yields than did those that were 30, 40, or 50 days old.