Effect of planting space and shoot pruning on the occurrence of thrips, fruit yield and quality traits of sweet pepper (Capsicum annum L.) under greenhouse conditions

Abstract

The effect of planting space and shoot pruning was investigated in sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) during summer 2018 in Tsukuba Japan. Two spacing (40 cm and 70cm between rows) and three pruning levels (No pruning, 2 stems, and 4 stems) were adopted. The experiment was laid as a randomized complete block design with two replications. Data collected were thrips occurrence, the number and weight of marketable and unmarketable fruits. More number of thrips was observed on the none-pruned plants while less thrips was observed on the plants with four stems. The narrower spacing gave more yields during early period of harvesting season despite the higher thrips occurrence. The narrower spacing with none-pruned practice could be adoptable if early harvest for a short period is targeted. However, to sustain harvest for consistence supply, the plants with four stems should be adopted due to better yield with minimal thrips occurrence.