Transplanting depth affects pepper lodging and maturity

The effects of transplant depth on lodging and yield were evaluated in five experiments in Florida and Massachusetts. 'Cherry Bomb', 'Jupiter', and 'M itla' pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) transplants were set at three depths so t hat the soil surface was even with the top of the rootball, the cotyledon l eaf, or the first true leaf. Seedlings set to the depth of cotyledon leaves or to the first true leaf lodged less than did those set to the top of the rootball. No yield differences were recorded among treatments in Massachus etts; however, total weight of red fruit was greater in treatments that lod ged less in 1 of the 2 years, suggesting that lodging delayed maturity. Soi l temperature in Massachusetts declined at the level of the rootball as pla nting depth increased.