Asian Journal of Crop Science1994-78792077-2041Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/ajcs.2009.96.104Capsicum annuum L.) in Response to Varying Plant Populations and Arrangement in the Smallholder Sector of Zimbabwe]]>MavengahamaS. OgunlelaV.B. MarigaI.K. 2200912The effect of plant population and spatial arrangement on the agronomic performance of paprika (Capsicum annuum L.) was studied on-farm in the Chinyika Resettlement Area (CRA) of Zimbabwe during 2000-2003 cropping seasons. The treatments were factorial combinations of four plant population densities (35000, 50000, 65000 and 80000 plants ha-1) and two plant arrangements (single and double-row planting). The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with four replications. When plant population increased from 35000 through to 65000 plants ha-1 total fruit yield increased 21.6-64.7% but yield declined 23.7% at 80000 plants ha-1 in the 2000/01 season. Significant response to plant population was up to 80000 plants ha-1 in the 2001/02 season. In the 2000/01 season, marketable fruit yield increased by 48.1% when plant population was increased from 35000 to 65000 plants ha-1. Total fruit yield per plant and number of fruits per plant responded significantly (p<0.05) to variation in plant population in the 2000/01 season up to 65000 plants ha-1. Above this population fruit yield per plant and plant height declined significantly. In the 2001/02 season, number of fruits per plant and plant height did not respond to variation in plant population. Generally, row arrangement had no significant influence on fruit yield except total fruit yield and number of fruits/plant that were higher under 2-row planting than under one-row in the 2000/01 season. Results suggest that increasing plant population from 55000 to above 65000 plants ha-1 caused significant increase in total fruit yield and that 2-row planting can give higher fruit yields per hectare and per plant as against the one-row planting.]]>Aliyu, L.,2002Capsicum annuum L.) as affected by nitrogen and phosphorus application and plant density.]]>23467475Aliyu, L., S.K. Karikari and M.K. Ahmed,1992Solanum gilo L.) as affected by date of transplanting, intra-row spacing and nitrogen fertilization.]]>2712Batal, K.M. and D.A. Smittle,1981106259262Cavero, J., R.G. Ortega and M. Gutierrez,200136476480Cushman, K.E. and T.E. Horgan,2001375294295Decoteau, D.R. and H.A.H. Graham,199429149151Everett, P.H. and R. Subramanya,1983967982Jollife, P.A. and M.M. Gaye,1995Capsicum annuum L.) to row covers and population density.]]>62153164Jovicich, E., D.J. Cantliffe and G.J. Hochmuth,19991999pp: 184190Jovicich, E., D.J. Cantliffe and P.J. Stofella,2003614255262Jovicich, E., D.J. Cantliffe and P.J. Stofella,200414507513Kahn, B.A., J.R. Cooksey and J.E. Motes,1997693139Locascio, S.J. and W.M. Stall,1994119899902Lorenzo, P. and N. Castilla,1995412330334Motsenbocker, C.E.,199631198200Ogunlela, V.B. and I. Koomen,2005Capsicum annuum L.) field establishment and crop productivity under varying plant density and ammonium nitrate topdressing.]]>3185189Shirai, T. and M. Hagimori,2004Capsicum annuum L. soilless culture: Effects of planting density of mother plants and the substrates on yield of shoots.]]>73374379Snedecor, G.W. and W.G. Cochran,19807th Edn.,Pages: 507Pages: 507Steel, R.G.D., J.H. Torrie and D.A. Dickey,19973rd Edn.,Pages: 666Pages: 666Stoffella, P.J. and H.H. Bryan,1988113835839Sundstrom, F.J., C.H. Thomas, R.L. Edwards and G.R. Baskin,1984109642645Vincent, V. and R.G. Thomas,1960Nyamapfene, K.W.,19911st Edn.,pp: 75-79pp: 75-79Sheldrick, J., 20032003