Fertigation of peppers is sometimes more of an art than science since plant requirements change as the weather/climate change. Learn how to read your plants and identify good and bad stress symptoms.

Peppers are sensitive to water stress (to little water) and to water logging (over watering). Any of these two conditions will reduce plant vigour. The frequency of water application cannot be standardized because of so many factors that vary within each farming system. Fertigation scheduling should be regulated according to crop stage, climate and the characteristics of the growth medium. The coarser the texture of the medium the more frequent and less water at a time should be applied. Crops grown in high density medium should receive water less frequently but more at a time. Typical frequencies are listed in previous sections and should only be used as a guide.

Peppers grown in GFT systems have less problems with water logging. It is important to maintain a very thin layer of water at the bottom of the channel. To high flow of water will result in water logged conditions and the development of algae at the surface of the gullies.

A general nutrient formulation that can be used for peppers is listed in below. However, the fertilizer combinations presented should be adapted to the grower conditions and variety. Informed decisions should be based on water and plant analysis with the help of an expert. Many books provide fertilizer recipes, but they are not the alpha and omega of plant fertilization. There is very little doubt if one fertilizer program will be significant better than the other if the basic principles are followed regarding plant nutrition. The main problem found with recipes is their implementation in the irrigation system. Factors such as how the fertilizers are mixed, at what pH are they mixed and the quality of the various components making up the fertilizers. Another very important factor is the quality of the water which can have a significant effect on the growth of the plant.

 

Pepper fertilizer program during three stages of growth.

Pepper fertilizer program during three stages of growth.