Effects of continuous and intermittent carbon dioxide enrichment on fruit set and yield of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.).

Abstract

An autumn crop of cv. Delphin was subjected to 6 CO₂ treatments viz. continuous CO₂ levels near 200, 340 (ambient) and 500 p.p.m., intermittent dosing for 8 minutes/40 or in every 104 minutes, and a control (without dosing or filtering). The number of fruits harvested per msuperscript 2 was 60% higher in the 500 p.p.m. than in the 200 p.p.m. treatment, but the average fruit weight was not significantly affected. The dry matter content of the leaves increased, and the SLA and LAR were smaller at higher CO₂ concentrations. Vegetative growth tended to decrease at higher CO₂ levels, probably because of competition between vegetative and generative organs. The effects of CO₂ on setting and yield were less favourable with intermittent than with continuous CO₂ enrichment for the same average concentration. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)