Peppers - Fertility

Nitrogen

Reduce the nitrogen (N) application if manure is applied or legume sod is plowed down. (See Table 1-8, Adjustment of Nitrogen Requirement Where Sod Containing Legumes Is Plowed Down, and Table 1-7, Average Amounts of Available Nutrients for Different Types of Manure, on page 9.)

Broadcast and incorporate the recommended preplant nitrogen, along with the required phosphate and potash, prior to planting. Side-dress the remainder of the nitrogen after first fruit set.

For fertigated peppers, broadcast and incorporate the recommended preplant nitrogen, along with all the required phosphate and half the required potash. Apply equal rates of nitrogen and potash through the drip tape according to the schedule in Table 9-59, Pepper Nitrogen Application Schedule. For more information, see the section Fertigation, on page 32.

Table 9-59. Pepper Nitrogen Application Schedule

Phosphorus

Test the soil to determine phosphorus requirements. Where the soil test values are 61 mg P per L soil (ppm) or higher, peppers are unlikely to respond to additional phosphate applications. For soils testing lower than 61 mg P per L soil (ppm), see Table 1-10, Phosphorus Requirements: Vegetables on Mineral Soils, on page 12.

Starter Solution

At transplanting, apply a high-phosphorus starter solution. Use 1 L of 10-34-0 per 100 L of water or 1 L of 6-24-6 per 75 L of water. Under high temperature conditions or in dry sandy soils, reduce the amount of fertilizer by half but continue to use the same volume of water. This will reduce the risk of crop injury.

Potassium

Test the soil to determine potassium requirements. Where the soil test values are 181 mg K per L soil (ppm) or higher, peppers are unlikely to respond to additional potash applications. For soils testing lower than 181 mg K per L soil (ppm), see Table 1-12, Potassium Requirements: Vegetables on Mineral Soils, on page 14.

Plant Analysis

When used in conjunction with a soil analysis, plant analysis is a useful tool for diagnosing crop problems or for evaluating a fertilizer program. The objective of a good fertilizer program is to maintain tissue nutrient concentrations on the lower side of the sufficiency range. Attempting to bring the nutrient analysis up to the higher end of the range could possibly result in over-fertilization and may not be economical. For more information, see the section, Plant Analysis, on page 3.

Use sufficiency ranges a reference and a guideline only. Plant analysis does not replace soil testing or a sound soil fertility program. See Table 9-60, Pepper Nutrient Sufficiency Ranges.

Table 9-60. Pepper Nutrient Sufficiency Ranges

Adapted from Maynard, D.N., and G.J. Hochmuth. 1997. Knott's Handbook for Vegetable Growers, 4^th Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York.

Plant Part: Most recently mature leaf

Related Links

• Publication 363 - Vegetable Production Recommendations

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