EFFECTS OF TRICKLE IRRIGATION ON THE GROWTH AND SUNSCALD OF BELL PEPPERS (CAPSICUM-ANNUUM-L) IN SOUTHERN QUEBEC

A two-year field study was conducted in southern Quebec to investigate the response of bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) to four trickle irrigation emitter spacings factorially combined with three nitrogen fertilizer rates. Marketable pepper yield increased as emitter spacing decreased from 1.62 to 0.45 m. Varying nitrogen levels by 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 times the recommended rate had no significant effect on several crop parameters including yield. Plant height and canopy diameter increased significantly with decreasing emitter spacing. The percentage of culled fruit afflicted with sunscald and blossom-end-rot decreased with smaller emitter spacings. Trickle irrigation, therefore, not only increases yield, but also improves fruit quality.