Analysis of Growth Characteristics and Yield Pattern of ‘Cupra’ and ‘Fiesta’ Paprika for Yield Prediction

Abstract

This study was aimed at predicting the yield of paprika (Capsicum annuum L.) through analyzing the growth characteristics, yield pattern and greenhouse environment. In the greenhouse of the Gyeongnam area (667 m above sea level), the red paprika ‘Cupra’ and the yellow paprika ‘Fiesta’ were grown from July 5, 2016 to July 15, 2017. The planting density was 3.66 plants/m and attracted 2 stems. During the cultivation period, the average external radiation of the glasshouse was 14.36 MJ/m/day and the internal average temperature was controlled as 20.1C. After 42 weeks of planting, the growth rate of ‘Cupra’ was 7.3 cm/week and that of ‘Fiesta’ was 6.9 cm/week. The first fruit setting of ‘Cupra’ appeared at 1.0th node and ‘Fiesta’ at 2.7th node. The first harvest of 'Fiesta' was 11 weeks after planting and 'Fiesta' was 14 weeks. Comparing the yield per 10 a until the end of the cultivation in July, ‘Fiesta’ was 19,307 kg, which was 2.4% higher than that of ‘Cupra’. And the fruit weight ratio of over 200 g of ‘Cupra’ was 27.7% which was 7.7% higher than that of ‘Fiesta’. The average required days to harvest after fruit setting of ‘Cupra’ was 72.6 days and ‘Fiesta’ was 63.8 days. According to the relationship between the average required days to harvest and the cumulative radiation (during from fruit setting to harvest), the more radiation increases the less required days to harvest increases after February. In terms of yield, ‘Cupra’ increased in yield as the cumulative radiation increased, while ‘Fiesta’ showed an irregular pattern. Cumulative radiation from fruit setting to harvest was negatively correlated with required days to harvest after February in both cultivars. But in relation to yield, there were difference between ‘Cupra’ and ‘Fiesta’. Additional key words : Capsicum annuum L., Growth pattern, Ratio of fruit weight, Required days to harvest