Planting density and cultivars suitable to climatic conditions of southwestern Paraná State are of great importance in crop production and fruit quality of pepper. The objective of this study was to evaluate growth, production and fruit quality of pepper cultivars in different spacing and harvest seasons carried out in field in the southwestern Paraná. The experiments were carried out in the experimental area of the Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Campus Dois Vizinhos, from September 2009 to July 2012. The experimental design was randomized blocks with four replications in a 2x3 factorial design, comprising two pepper varieties (BRS Mari and Paprika) and three planting densities: 1.50x1.00 m, 1.00x1.25 m, 1.50x1.25 m between rows and between plants, respectively. The number, fresh mass and production of fruits, length, fruit diameter, leaf area index, soluble solids, capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin content in fresh fruits Were analyzed. BRS Mari resulted in greater number of fruits (199.33), production per area (5.87 t/ha), fresh fruit production (768.67 g/plant) and capsaicin (549.92 mg/kg) and dihydrocapsaicin (251.93 mg/kg) content. The spacing of 1.00x1.25 m resulted in higher yield per area (22.88 t/ha), capsaicin (362.25 mg/kg) and dihydrocapsaicin (165.02 mg/kg) content. Density can be a strategy for productivity of pepper cultivars evaluated.
Capsicum annuum; planting density; yield; pungency
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