REGULATION OF BELL PEPPER SEEDLING GROWTH WITH END-OF-DAY SUPPLEMENTAL FLUORESCENT LIGHT

The influence of end-of-day (EOD), supplemental, cool-white fluorescen t light on pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Keystone Resistant Giant No. 3) seedling growth and fruit production after transplanting to the fi eld was investigated. Seedlings were exposed to this light source, whi ch is high in the red wavebands, from one (1988) or two bulbs (1989) f or 1 hour before the end of the natural photoperiod. Each year control plants were exposed to ambient light and received no supplemental flu orescent light. Before transplanting to the field, seedlings exposed t o two bulbs were shorter and had smaller leaves than plants in the con trol treatment. Supplemental fluorescent light treatment, regardless o f number of bulbs, reduced plant height, leaf area, fruit weight, and fruit count at the first harvest. Total fruit production was not affec ted by supplemental light, suggesting no residual effect of the light treatment during transplant production on total subsequent fruit produ ction.