REFERENCE SUFFICIENCY RANGES
VEGETABLE CROPS

Bell Pepper

E. A. Hanlon and G. J. Hochmuth

• Critical Values

  None established.

• Sampling Procedures

  The most recent mature leaf should be sampled. Considerable work in bell pepper has shown that nutrient concentration changes rapidly with stage of growth. For possible correction of nutrient deficiencies, leaves may be sampled just prior to blossoming or at first blossom opening. For next season planning of fertilization needs, additional samples from the most recently mature leaves at early fruit set and early harvest may be useful. Concentrations above the sufficient range for nutrients that are immobile in the soil are indicative of high soil fertility. Fertilization with these nutrients in subsequent seasons should be reduced or eliminated.

• Sufficiency Ranges
  
  
  • Prior to Blossoming
    
    

    Macronutrients
    N	P	K	Ca	Mg	S
    4.0–5.0%	0.3–0.5%	5.0–6.0%	0.9–1.5%	0.35–0.60%	0.3–0.6%

    
    

    Micronutrients
    Fe	Mn	Zn	Cu	B
    20–150 ppm	30–100 ppm	25–80 ppm	5–10 ppm	20–50 ppm

  • First Blossom Opening
    
    

    Macronutrients
    N	P	K	Ca	Mg	S
    3.0–5.0%	0.3–0.5%	2.5–5.0%	0.9–1.5%	0.3–0.5%	0.3–0.6%

    
    

    Micronutrients
    Fe	Mn	Zn	Cu	B
    30–150 ppm	30–100 ppm	25–80 ppm	5–10 ppm	20–50 ppm

  • Early Fruit Set
    
    

    Macronutrients
    N	P	K	Ca	Mg	S
    2.9–4.0%	0.25–0.40%	2.5–4.0%	1.0–1.5%	0.3–0.4%	0.3–0.4%

    
    

    Micronutrients
    Fe	Mn	Zn	Cu	B
    30–150 ppm	30–100 ppm	25–80 ppm	5–10 ppm	20–50 ppm

  • Early Harvest
    
    

    Macronutrients
    N	P	K	Ca	Mg	S
    2.5–3.0%	0.2–0.4%	2.0–3.0%	1.0–1.5%	0.3–0.4%	0.3–0.4%

    
    

    Micronutrients
    Fe	Mn	Zn	Cu	B
    30–150 ppm	30–100 ppm	25–80 ppm	5–10 ppm	20–50 ppm

• DRIS Norms

  DRIS norms have not been established for bell pepper.

• Remarks

  Tabular data agree with the experimental evidence reported in articles listed in the References section. However, some values are lower than those reported by Jones et. al. (1991). The differences can be attributed to the fact that these values are based upon measurements within experiments, compared to mean values observed with time in the analytical laboratory.

• References

  Albregts EE. 1971. Effect of nitrogen and potassium on bell pepper grown under paper mulch. Proc Soil Crop Soc Fla 31:116–8.

  Fiskell JGA, Locascio SJ, Singholka S, Martin FG. 1977. Effects of fertilizer N sources, rates and placement on soil test values for bedded peppers with and without mulch. Proc Soil Crop Soc Fla 37:183–8.

  Hochmuth G, Hanlon E, Hochmuth B. 1992. Response of pepper to N fertilization in a polyethylene mulch and drip irrigation production system at Live Oak, FL, Spring 1988. Research Report Suwannee Valley AREC 92-29.

  Hochmuth GJ, Hanlon EA. 1995. Commercial vegetable crop nutrient requirements in Florida. Gainesville (FL): University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. Special Publication SP 177.

  Hochmuth GJ, Maynard D, Vavrina C, Hanlon EA. 1991. Plant tissue analysis and interpretations for vegetable crops in Florida. Gainesville (FL): University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. Publication SS-VEC-42.

  Hochmuth GJ, Shuler KD, Gilreath PR, Mitchell RL. 1988. Field testing of Mehlich-I predicted potassium fertilizer recommendations for mulched pepper. Soil Crop Sci Soc Fla Proc 47:30–5.

  Hochmuth GJ, Shuler KD, Miller RL, Gilreath PR. 1987. Nitrogen crop nutrient requirement demonstrations for mulched pepper in Florida. Proc Fla State Hort Soc 100:205–9.

  Jones JB Jr, Wolf B, Mills HA. 1991. Plant analysis handbook: a practical sampling, preparation, analysis, and interpretation guide. Athens (GA): Micro-Macro Publishing. 130 p.

  Knavel DE, Ellis J, Morrison J. 1977. The effects of tillage systems on the performance and elemental absorption by selected vegetable crops. J Am Soc Hort Sci 102(3):323–7.

  Locascio SJ, Alligood MR. 1992. Nitrogen and potassium source and n-rate for drip-irrigated pepper. Proc Fla State Hort Soc 105:323–5.

  Locascio SJ, Fiskell JGA. 1976. Pepper production as influenced by mulch, fertilizer placement, and nitrogen rate. Proc Soil Crop Soc Fla 36:114–7.

  Locascio, SJ, Fiskell JGA, Gratez DA. 1985. Nitrogen accumulation by pepper as influenced by mulch and time of fertilizer application. J Am Soc Hort Sci 110(3):325–8.

  Locascio SJ, Fiskell JGA, Martin FG. 1981. Responses of bell pepper to nitrogen sources. J Am Soc Hort Sci 106(5):628–32.

  Miller CH, McCollum RE, Claimon S. 1979. Relationships between growth of bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) and nutrient accumulation during ontogeny in field environments. J Am Soc Hort Sci 104(6):852–7.

  Wiedenfeld RP. 1986. Rate, timing, and slow-release nitrogen fertilizers on bell peppers and muskmelon. HortScience 21(2):233–5.

Electronic Document Prepared by:
Catherine Stokes, Communication Specialist
Agronomic Division of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. July 2000.