African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6860

Full Length Research Paper

Response of plant spacing on the morphology and yield of five hot pepper lines

Boateng E
  • Boateng E
  • Grains and Legumes Development Board, P. O. Box 4000, Kumasi, Ghana.
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Adjei E. A
  • Adjei E. A
  • CSIR-Crops Research Institute, Kumasi, Ghana.
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Osei M. K
  • Osei M. K
  • CSIR-Crops Research Institute, Kumasi, Ghana.
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Offei K. O
  • Offei K. O
  • CSIR-Crops Research Institute, Kumasi, Ghana.
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Olympio N. S
  • Olympio N. S
  • Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
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  •  Received: 16 July 2021
  •  Accepted: 11 September 2021
  •  Published: 31 October 2021

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effects of plant spacing on some morphological traits and yields of 5 hot pepper lines. The trial was laid out in a 5 × 3 factorial in randomized complete block design with 4 replications. Five pepper lines (ICPN16#3, ICPN16#4, ICPN16#6, ICPN16#7, and ICPN16#9) and 3 plant spacing (70 cm × 30 cm, 70 cm × 40 cm and 70 cm × 50 cm) were used. The results revealed that the closer plant spacing of 70 cm × 30 cm produced tall plants with ICPN16#4 line being the tallest. In addition, line ICPN16#4 produced narrow canopy with more branches, whilst ICPN16#9 (a short line) produced more branches with medium spread canopy. Plant spacing of 70 cm × 50 cm resulted in more spread canopy and number of branches. Closer spacing gave higher fruit yield compared to wider spacing. However, wider spacing gave the largest fruit size.  

Key words: Lines, spacing, canopy, plant height, branch, interaction.