The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect N and K2O on the production and yield of sweet pepper plants, related to the characteristics of growth (weight, lenght and diameter) and total number of fruits per plant, per area. Nitrogen (urea) and potassium (KCl) fertilizers were side dressed in six applications to sweet pepper cultivar Mayata, cultivated in a protected environment. The experiment was conducted from November/96 to August/97, with the following treatments: control and combination of three rates of N (13.3, 26.6, and 39.9 g m-2) and three rates of K2O (13.3, 26.6 and 39.9 g m-2). The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks, in a factorial scheme (3 x 3 + 1), with four replications with a total of 40 plots. Each plot comprised 11 plants, totalizing of 444 plants. Plants were grown with drip irrigation along the entire cycle of the crop. Fruits were harvest when ripe, ready for consumption. Nitrogen fertilizer increased the maximun dry matter of the stem, leaves and roots, but not of fruit dry matter production. The optimal rate for maximum dry matter accumulation of N was 27.0 g m-2. Nitrogen did not affect the growth characteristics of the commercial fruits, such as weight, length, and diameter. Therefore did not affect the yield of commercial fruits. The favorable effect of the nitrogen on the production of total dry matter and yield occurred only at low concentrations of potassium in the soil (13.3 gm-2) and a minimum development of sweet pepper with 33,0 g m-2 de K2O in the soil.
Capsicum annuum; nitrogen; potassium; fertilization; yield; sweet pepper
