Optimum Management of Leaf Removal and Lateral Branch Fruit Set in Winter-Planted Cultivation of Paprika

Abstract

This study was carried out to balance the production and consumption of assimilates according to crop conditions as a basis to reduce the waste of assimilation through leaf and fruit control. There were four treatments: one fruit and two leaves (F1L2); two fruits and two leaves (F2L2); two fruits and three leaves (F2L3); and two fruits and four leaves (F2L4). This study showed that, as the number of leaves increased in Periods 1 and 2, the stem diameter and average weight decreased, with F1L2 having the highest stem diameter and average weight, although its numbers of leaves and fruits were the fewest. In the summer, Period 3, F1L2 production was the lowest due to increased rates of flower drop and fruit drop. In Period 4, when ambient temperature and light levels were decreased, the number of fruits was increased. However, the production was decreased. F1L2 and F2L4 showed significant decreases in production. Although F1L2 showed the highest average weight, it had a low production due to a decrease in the number of fruits. F2L4 showed weak generative growth due to an imbalance in growth over the summer. After reaching the last stage of development, the number of leaves showed the highest average weight and production in F2L4.