Flowering and Fruit Production Dynamics of Sweet Pepper (Capsicum chinenseJacq) Under Different Shade Conditions in a Humid Tropical Region

ABSTRACT Growing sweet pepper (C. chinense) under shade has increased in the region south of Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela. We studied the effects of different shade conditions on the dynamics of flowering and fruit production of C. chinense. Two experiments were carried out. In the first experiment, weekly measurements of flowering and fruit production in plants shaded by passion-fruit (Passiflora edulis) vines and in those in full sunlight were made in replicated field plots. In the second experiment, with a similar design and three replications, the same variables were measured for three shade levels (60%, 40% and full sunlight). In the first experiment there were no significant differences in total number of flowers (TNF), total number of fruits (TNFr) or in total production (TP) (p < 0.05). However, total production of shade-grown plants was slightly higher, and the average fruit weight of shade-grown plants was significantly greater (p < 0.05). In the second experiment different shade conditions showed no significant differences for either TNF or fruit weight. Highest production was obtained for plants with 40% shade, but this was not significantly different from those in full sunlight. However, both were significantly different from plants with 60% shade (p < 0.05). Although plants in full sunlight and those with 40% shade showed no significant differences, the results indicate that producers can grow C. chinense in partial shade provided by other plants, thereby increasing efficiency of field space usage. For small producers this strategy could provide greater economic returns from the same area.