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DIVISION S-4—SOIL FERTILITY & PLANT NUTRITION

Salinity and Nitrogen Rate Effects on the Growth and Yield of Chile Pepper Plants

^a CENID-RASPA-INIFAP Apartado Postal No. 41, Cd. Lerdo, Dgo., Mexico 35150
^b Dep. of Agronomy and Horticulture, New Mexico State University, MSC 3Q, P.O. Box 30003, Las Cruces, NM 88001
^c New Mexico State University Statistics Center, MSC 3CQ, P.O. Box 30003, Las Cruces, NM 88001

^* Corresponding author (aulery{at}nmsu.edu).

Salinity and low soil N availability are important growth limiting factors for most plants. Our objective was to determine the influence of different N fertilization rates and soil salinity levels on the growth and yield of chile pepper plants (Capsicum annuum L.) grown in a greenhouse in sandy loam soil for 2 yr. The targeted soil salinity levels were 1.3, 3.5, and 5.5 dS m^-1 in 1999, and 1.3, 3.0, 4.5, and 6.0 dS m^-1 in 2000 as electrical conductivity of the saturated paste extract (EC_e). Total N application rates were 80, 140, and 200 kg ha^-1 in 1999, and 30, 90, and 150 kg ha^-1 in 2000. Nitrogen rates of 140 kg ha^-1 or more increased soil salinities, in some cases by as much as 4 dS m^-1. Soil salinity decreased plant relative growth rate (RGR) up to first mature pod stage. After this growth stage however, salinity increased the RGR. Low and medium N rates produced the maximum RGR up to the first mature pod stage. After this growth stage, the maximum RGR was achieved with the medium and the high N rates tested in 1999 and 2000, respectively. Increasing N rates and salinity levels interacted to reduce chile pod yield in 1999, and acted independently in 2000. This study indicates that over-fertilization during early plant development may contribute to salinity and decreased pod yield. While salt-stressed chile performs well when adequately fertilized, N should be applied in amounts that increase with plant need over the growing season.

Abbreviations: DAT, days after transplanting • EC_e, electrical conductivity of the saturated paste extract • LAR, leaf area ratio • NAR, net assimilation rate • RGR, relative growth rate • TDM, total dry matter yield