Efecto de la densidad de plantación y la poda en el Chile huacle en invernadero

The objective of this study was to evaluate the production and quality of pruning and planting density as a function of cultural management. Two simultaneous experiments with the huacle chili were conducted. Experiment 1 consisted of planting density treatments of 2, 3 and 4 plants m^–2 with a principal pruning of 3 stems per plant. Experiment 2 consisted of a planting density of 3 plants m^–2 and three pruning treatments of 2 or 4 stems per plant and of no pruning. Growth, production and fruit quality was measured. The highest planting density significantly increased the leaf area index, yield and fruit production in terms of total dry matter. The fruit quality parameters were not affected. The leaf area index was lowest in the treatment with pruning to two branches and did not vary with pruning to 4 stems and no pruning. The highest yield and dry matter fruit production was obtained from plants with 4 stems, while the quality of the fruit was not affected.