EFFECTS OF IRRIGATION AND NITROGEN RATES ON FOLIAR MINERAL-COMPOSITION OF BELL PEPPER

Irrigation and nitrogen fertilization are two important aspects of bel l pepper production. Yet, limited information is available on the effe ct of irrigation on foliar nutrient content. Bell pepper were grown on bare ground under two nitrogen fertilization rates (11 and 19 kg N we ek(-1)) and irrigated according to an irrigation scheduling model base d on weather data and crop age. Eight irrigation rates ranged between 36 and 148% of the model rate. Leaf samples were taken at first bloom (62 days after transplanting, DAT) and after final harvest (84 DAT). Y ield response and the foliar content of all essential elements determi ned [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnes ium (Mg), boron (B), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), molybdenum (Mo), manganes e (Mn), zinc (Zn)] responded linearly or quadratically to irrigation r ates and most foliar nutrient contents remained within or above the su fficiency range. Foliar mineral content tended to be lower at 84 DAT a s compared to 62 DAT. Only Ca became deficient under high irrigation r ates on 84 DAT. Current fertilization recommendations for bell pepper and 100% of the model irrigation rate resulted in highest yield. These results suggest that the high N rate supplied as calcium nitrate shou ld be used when multiple bell pepper harvests are expected.