AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center

International Cooperators’

Guide January 2003

AVRDC pub # 99-497R

Suggested Cultural Practices

for Sweet Pepper
by T.G. Berke, L.L. Black, R.A. Morris, N.S. Talekar, and J.F. Wang

The following suggestions were developed for Growing peppers in a different season or under
the specific conditions at AVRDC in the Tai- a different rotation system might provide higher
wan lowlands (latitude 23° 7’ N, elevation 8 m yields and/or higher prices. Relay or intercropping
above sea level). Growers should adjust these might provide extra income from the same piece of
practices to fit their local environment. land, and reduce insect and disease problems.
Calculate potential returns, and choose the variety
and cropping system that serve you best.
Climate and soil requirements
Seed treatment
Sweet peppers grow best between 21 and 24°C.
When temperatures fall below 18°C or exceed 27°C The primary seed-borne fungal pathogens are
for extended periods, growth and yield are usually Colletotrichum spp., the causal agents of anthra-
decreased. Sweet peppers can tolerate daytime cnose. To minimize seed transmission, soak seeds
temperatures over 30°C, as long as night tempera- in warm water (50°C) for 30 min or soak them in
tures are within 21–24°C. Sweet peppers are pho- 1.25% (v/v) Clorox for 30 min, and rinse in cold wa-
toperiod and humidity-insensitive (daylength and ter. Apply a fungicide seed coating, such as 1 g of
relative humidity do not affect flowering or fruit set). Benomyl 20% active ingredient (AI) wettable pow-
Sweet pepper grows best in a loam or silty-loam der (WP) and 1 g Thiram 20% AI WP (or 0.8 g of
soil with good water-holding capacity. But they can Benlate [a mixture of Benomyl and Thiram] 50% AI
grow on many soil types, as long as the soil is well WP) in 400 ml of water, so that the final concentra-
drained. Soil pH should be between 5.5 and 6.8. tion is 0.1% AI. Coat the seeds thoroughly by mix-
ing 1 g of seeds with 1 ml of the fungicide mixture.
Choosing a variety Seeds may be dried at 20°C and 40% relative hu-
midity or sown immediately. The fungicide protects
Sweet pepper yields vary widely depending on va- young seedlings from damping off pathogens, such
riety. So begin by comparing the yield potential of as Rhizoctonia, Pythium, and Fusarium spp. Cap-
currently grown varieties with the yield potential of tan can be substituted for Benomyl.
the best new varieties. Make sure, however, that
the test plots were handled the way you intend to The primary seed-borne viral pathogens are
grow your crop. tobamoviruses, including tobacco mosaic virus
(TMV), tomato mosaic virus (ToMV), and pepper
Compare the total agronomic package. On clay mild mottle virus (PMMV). To minimize seed trans-
soils, for instance, Phytophthora blight might be mission, soak 2 g of seeds in 10 ml of 10% (w/v)
more limiting that potato virus Y (PVY), so a PVY- trisodium phosphate (TSP) (Na3PO4 . 12 H2O) for
resistant variety lacking blight resistance would likely 30 min, transfer them to a fresh 10% TSP solution
be a poor choice. for 2 hours, then rinse in running water for 45 min.

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This treatment can be done on freshly harvested or Table 1. Influence of soil temperature on length of
dry seeds. Or soak seeds for 4–6 hours in 5% (v/v) time to plant emergence
hydrochloric acid, then rinse in running water for 1
hour. Dry them for storage, or sow immediately. Temperature (°C) Days after sowing

The primary seed-borne bacterial pathogen is <15 No germination

Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria (Xcv), the 15 25
causal agent of bacterial spot. To minimize Xcv in- 20 13
fection, soak 2 g of seeds in 10 ml of 1.3% (v/v) 25–35 8
acetic acid (shake occasionally) for 4 hours, rinse >35 No germination
the seeds with water three times, soak the seeds in
1.25% (v/v) Clorox for 5 min, and rinse under run- Source: Knott's Handbook for Vegetable Growers,
ning water for 15 min. Or soak seeds in warm wa- 1997, p. 96.
ter (50°C) for 30 min, then dry them or sow imme-
diately. inside a greenhouse or screenhouse. This provides
shade and protects seedlings from heavy rain and
If you don’t know what pathogens, if any, are on pests, such as aphids, which transmit viruses. Wa-
your seeds, then soaking in TSP followed by coat- ter the seedlings thoroughly every morning or as
ing with Benlate (see instructions for application needed (not too wet, not too dry), using a fine sprin-
above) is a good general-purpose seed treatment. kler. Irrigate with a 0.25% (w/v) solution of water-
This should not affect germination in the near term soluble or liquid fertilizer (10-10-10) when two true
(<1 year). Pathogen-free seeds sown in sterile soil leaves appear. If damping-off occurs, irrigate with
require no treatment. a 0.25% (w/v) solution of Benlate or a similar fungi-
cide.
Seedling production If the seedlings have been grown in shade,
Times from sowing to plant emergence at different harden them off by gradually exposing them to di-
soil temperatures are shown in Table 1. Germina- rect sunlight over 4–5 days prior to transplanting.
tion varies depending on variety, seed quality, and On day one, expose them to 3–4 hours of direct
soil mixture. For optimum germination, sow seeds sunlight. Increase the duration until they receive full
in a well-drained, sterile soilless mix at 25–28°C. sun on day four.
Water daily.
Transplanting
One gram contains approximately 130 seeds.
Approximately 300 g may be needed to plant 1 ha Recommended spacing varies depending on crop-
at a density of 30,000 plants/ha, assuming 90% ger- ping system, soil type, and variety. AVRDC uses
mination and 90% survival after transplanting. Fill 1.5-m wide beds (furrow to furrow), 30 cm high.
the seedling tray with sowing medium, such as peat We transplant two rows per bed. Rows are 55 cm
moss, commercial potting soil, or a potting mix pre- apart, with 45 cm between plants within rows, for a
pared from soil, compost, rice hulls, vermiculite, peat plant population density of 29,630 plants/ha. Place
moss, and/or sand. The potting mix should have three or four granules of carbofuran (Furadan 5G)
good water-holding capacity and good drainage. We in each hole just prior to transplanting to guard
recommend a mixture of 66% peat moss and 34% against insect attack. Solarizing or flooding the soil
coarse vermiculite. If you use non-sterile compo- prior to transplanting can reduce the number of
nents, sterilize your potting mixture by autoclaving harmful organisms.
or baking at 150°C for 2 hours. If seedlings are
started in a raised soil bed, the soil should be ster- Under good conditions, seedlings are ready for
ilized by burning a 3- to 5-cm thick layer of rice straw transplanting four weeks after sowing. The ideal
or other dry organic matter on the bed. This also seedling has 4–5 true leaves, is disease-free,
adds minor amounts of P and K to the soil, which stocky, and has no flowers. Transplant in the late
helps establish the seedlings. afternoon or on a cloudy day to minimize transplant
shock. Bury each plant to half its total height (root
Sow one seed per cell (or broadcast the seeds to tip), and irrigate immediately after transplanting
lightly in a seedbed) and cover 1 cm deep. Cover to establish good root-to-soil contact. Transplant-
the seedlings with an insect-proof net, or sow them ing can be done manually or by machine.

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Fertilization Table 2. N, P, and K requirements, expected
recovery rate, and amount to apply for a target
Nutrient requirements for a target yield of 28 t/ha yield of 28 t/ha (fresh weight) of sweet pepper
(fresh weight) are listed in Table 2. Forty percent of
Nutrient Nutrient Amount
the N should be applied as basal fertilizer before
requirement recovery needed*
transplanting. The remaining 60% should be (kg/ha) (%) (kg/ha)
sidedressed in three equal amounts at 2, 4, and 6
weeks after transplanting (WAT). Fifty percent of the
N 70 40 175
P and K should be applied as basal fertilizer, and the
P 10 10 100
remaining 50% should be sidedressed at 4 WAT.
K 80 50 160
The amount of fertilizer to apply depends on soil
*Assuming no nutrients are available in the soil; the ac-
fertility, fertilizer recovery rate, soil organic matter,
tual amount of fertilizer applied should be adjusted down-
soil mineralization of N, and soil leaching of N. A ward based on the soil test results.
soil test is recommended to determine the avail-
able N, P, and K. The amount to be applied can
then be calculated based on your target yield and straw to reduce temperature in the root zone. Or
residual nutrients. For example, if the target yield is irrigate and drain the field frequently to keep tem-
14 t/ha and the soil test indicates that 50 kg each of peratures down.
N, P, and K are available, you would need to apply
about 38 kg N and 30 kg K. Fifteen kilograms N Most sweet pepper varieties require staking to
and 15 kg K would be applied as basal fertilizer, prevent lodging, particularly when they have a heavy
and the remaining N would be sidedressed at the load of fruits.
rate of about 7.5 kg/ha at 2, 4, and 6 WAT; the re- Sweet peppers are fairly shallow-rooted and
maining 15 kg/ha K would be sidedressed at 4 WAT. have low tolerance to drought or flooding. They will
Compost and/or green manure crops help in- generally wilt and die if they stand in water for very
long, so drain fields quickly after heavy rain.
crease soil organic matter content, which increases
the soil’s buffering capacity. Applying fertilizer Crop water use will be relatively high when
through a drip irrigation system is beneficial because evaporation is high and when the crop is flowering
it helps sweet peppers maintain constant growth. and setting fruit. If rainfall does not provide suffi-
cient moisture, irrigate when the field reaches 40–
Fertilizer recommendations depend heavily on
50% available soil moisture. (To gauge soil mois-
local conditions, so consult your fertility manage-
ture content, take a handful of soil from the bottom
ment specialist for recommendations. Or conduct
of a 15-cm-deep hole. Squeeze the soil. If it holds
your own fertilizer trials to determine optimum rate.
together when you release your grip, then there is
Refer to "Determining Fertilizer Rates for Crops in
sufficient soil moisture. If the soil crumbles, then
Cropping Systems" in A Methodology for On-farm
it’s time to irrigate. Thorough irrigation provides
Cropping Systems Research, published by the In-
uniform soil moisture, essential for optimum plant
ternational Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los
and fruit growth. Over-irrigation stimulates the
Baños, Philippines (<[Link]>).
growth of Phytophthora capsici. Furrow or drip irri-
gation are recommended; sprinkler irrigation should
Field management be avoided as wet leaves and fruits promote dis-
ease development, especially at night. If overhead
Mulching is recommended to reduce weed compe- irrigation must be used, avoid evening irrigation.
tition, soil compaction, and soil erosion, and to main-
tain a uniform root environment and conserve soil If mulch is not available, or does not provide ad-
moisture. Use rice straw (5 t/ha) or other organic equate weed control, several herbicides are avail-
material, polyethylene plastic, or a combination of able, such as Lasso (alachlor 43EC), Amex (butralin
materials. Plastic mulch must be laid down before 47EC), Devrinol (napropamide 2E or 10G), and Dual
transplanting; organic mulches can be laid down (metolachlor 8E or 25G). Hand or hoe weeding can
before or after transplanting. If plastic mulch is used, be performed as needed. At AVRDC, we spray 0.4%
holes are cut in the plastic and plants are set di- (v/v) Lasso 43EC around the base of the plants 2–
rectly into the holes. During hot weather (>25°C 3 days after transplanting, and then we spray
nighttime temperature), cover plastic mulch with Roundup (glyphosate) to control weeds in the fur-

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rows later in the season. Care must be taken that Biological control is the control of pests and dis-
Roundup does not drift to the pepper plants. The eases by their natural enemies. Four groups of bio-
best type of herbicide, rate, and method of applica- logical control organisms are commonly recognized:
tion will vary depending on weed species, soil type, predators, parasites, microorganisms, and plant
and temperature at time of application. extracts and minerals. For more information on bio-
logical control of pepper pests and diseases, con-
Integrated pest management (IPM) should be
tact Koppert Biological Systems at <[Link]/
followed. IPM has many components, including
[Link]>. Plant extracts, such as neem seed
good hygiene, field scouting, mechanical control,
extract and hot pepper extract, can be sprayed on
cultural practices, biological control, and chemical
young seedlings to help protect them from insects.
control. See Table 3 for recommended options for
common diseases and insects. Chemical control of pests should be used mainly
Use high quality, pathogen-free seeds and/or as a corrective measure. If possible, choose a pes-
seedlings, and remove diseased leaves and plants ticide that targets the specific insect that is causing
promptly. Practice good weed control and be care- the damage, and try to avoid pesticides that kill or
ful not to damage the crop. If you have a disease inhibit the development or reproduction of benefi-
outbreak in one part of the field, work in other ar- cial organisms. Safeguard beneficial insects further
eas of the field before working in the diseased area. by using selective application techniques, such as
To restrict the spread of tobamoviruses, dip your seed coating or application of systemic pesticides
hands and tools in milk before handling plants. Be in the seedling nursery. Dusting any pesticide gen-
aware that irrigation water can carry pathogens, erally inhibits beneficial organisms, as does the ap-
such as Phytophthora. Mechanical control mea- plication of a wetter or spreader to a pesticide
sures include the use of nets, polyethylene mulch, sprayer. Choose pesticides that have short persis-
and other barriers to keep insects away from plants. tence, i.e., the effects of which last only a few days.
Yellow sticky traps can be used to catch insects. Chemical pesticides should be applied in the
evening, and workers should not be allowed into
Scout your fields at least twice a week, check-
the field until the recommended waiting period (usu-
ing for pests and diseases. Count the incidence of
ally 12 or 24 hours) has passed. Wear protective
pests and diseases on 60 plants chosen randomly
clothing and follow all label directions when apply-
in 0.1 ha. Decisions about spraying should be based
ing pesticides. If multiple applications are needed
on the economic threshold (ET) of damage, but such
to control a disease or insect problem, follow a pes-
ET values are generally not available for the major
pests and diseases that affect peppers. Consult your ticide rotation that includes at least three different
local entomologist and/or pathologist for specific modes-of-action.
pest control recommendations for your area.
Harvesting
Planting resistant varieties is the best way to
control pests. Many varieties carry resistance to one Sweet peppers should be harvested when fruits
or more pests, but if no resistant variety is avail- reach full size and become firm, but before turning
able, try sowing the crop when pest pressure is low- color (unless they are intended for mature color:
est, and use the proper plant density. High plant yellow, orange, or red). The fruits at the first and
densities lead to thin, weak plants, which are more second nodes will be larger than subsequent fruits.
susceptible to diseases and insects. Prevent plants It usually takes 35–40 days from flowering to opti-
from being overloaded with fruits. Remove routinely mum harvest stage, but the environment can affect
all fruits that set at the first bifurcation node, and all this. Stems of pepper plants are very fragile, so use
leaves and branches below the first bifurcation node. a knife to harvest fruits. To avoid mechanical trans-
This will promote vigorous plant growth and reduce mission of tobamoviruses, dip knives routinely in a
the spread of foliar diseases. Crop rotation, par- 3% (w/v) solution of TSP, or in milk.
ticularly a rice–pepper rotation, reduces disease and
insect problems. Peppers should never follow other For most sweet pepper varieties, production usu-
Solanaceous crops, such as potato (Solanum ally lasts 6–8 weeks (3–4 harvests as fruits ripen).
tuberosum) or tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), In temperate regions, sweet pepper production is
because these crops share many soil-borne dis- usually halted by frost at the end of the season. In
eases. Do not plant peppers after sweet potatoes tropical and subtropical regions, pepper productiv-
(Ipomea batatas), due to allelopathic effects. ity declines due to biotic and/or abiotic stresses.

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Table 3. Common diseases and insects of sweet peppers in Asia with their Latin names along with
mode of transmission, symptoms, and some suggested IPM methods

Transfer mode Symptoms Suggested IPM methods

Phytophthora blight: Phytophthora capsici

Soil-borne; rain splash. Not Damping off of young seedlings; Resistant varieties; raised beds;
transmitted by seed. root and crown rot; blight on leaves crop rotation; fungicides such as
metalaxyl and fixed copper

Anthracnose: Colletotrichum spp. (acutatum, capsici, connoides, gloeosporioides)

Rain splash in warm, wet Water-soaked spots (on fruits) Pathogen-free seed; rotation;
weather. Transmitted in and expand to become dark and fungicides such as chlorothalonil or
on seeds. depressed concentric rings mancozeb; furrow irrigation

Bacterial spot: Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria

Rain splash; dew Irregular, light-brown, water-soaked Resistant varieties; pathogen-free
condensation. Transmitted in lesions (on leaves) with thin white seeds/seedlings; spray mixture of
and on seeds. borders; defoliation mancozeb and fixed copper

Bacterial wilt: Ralstonia solanacearum

Soil-borne. Not transmitted by Leaves wilt, and drop off. (When Resistant varieties; good soil
seeds. put in water, cut stems ooze milky drainage and raised beds; rotation
streams of bacteria.) with non-host crops such as rice

Chilli veinal mosaic virus (ChiVMV), cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), potato virus Y (PVY)
Aphids. Not transmitted by Mosaic and mottled leaves; leaf Resistant varieties; weed control;
seeds. deformation. Symptoms vary. pesticides to control aphids; nets to
protect seedlings

Tobamoviruses
Contact. Transmitted in and Leaf mosaic; stunted plants; Resistant varieties; pathogen-free
on seeds. systemic bleaching of leaves. seeds; dip tools and hands in milk
or TSP prior to handling plants.

Aphids: Aphis gossypii, Myzus persicae

Flight; wind Leaf distortion and mottling; Reflective mulches; rotation;
chlorotic leaf spots; black sooty predators and parasites; pesti-cides
mold such as pirimicarb 50DP

Thrips: Scirtothrips dorsalis, Thrips palmi

Flight; wind Young leaves curl upwards; fruits Weed control; crop rotation;
netted with cork-like streaks predators and parasites; rotate
insecticides

Mites: Polyphagotarsonemus latus

Flight; wind Leaves curl downwards; growing Tolerant varieties; weed control;
point and young leaves are bronzed crop rotation; miticides such as
and stunted; cork-like fruits abamectin and dicofol

For more information see "Pepper Diseases: A Field Guide" by LL Black, SK Green, L Hartman, and JM Poulos,
published by AVRDC in 1991