ResponseofPeppertoFertilizationwith.docVIP

Response of Pepper to Fertilization with?Meister Controlled-Release Fertilizers 98-1George J. Hochmuth HYPERLINK / \l Footnote 1 Pepper fertilization studies with Meister controlled-release fertilizers were carried out on an Arredondo fine sand soil at the University of Florida Horticultural Research Unit in Gainesville, Florida in the fall of 1997.? Soil for the experiment was plowed and disked and pre-beds were formed on 4 ft centers.? Soil samples were taken from the upper 6 inches of soil before bedding. Fertilizer treatments are described in  HYPERLINK / \l Table 1 Table 1, consisting of rates of a Meister 19N-5 P2O5-14K2O polymer-coated controlled-release fertilizer, soluble (ammonium nitrate plus potassium chloride) treatments, zero-N and zero-K checks, and two treatments evaluating effect of a foliar-applied controlled-release N fertilizer.? Two methods of fertilizer placements were compared for the Meister fertilizer.? The Meister and Coron (foliar) fertilizers were products marketed by Helena Chem. Co., Memphis, TN.? Meister is a product of Chisso-Asahi Fertilizer Co., LTD., Tokyo, Japan and Coron is a product of Coron Corp., Souderton, PA. On 18 August 1997, fertilizers were applied to the soil.? For the broadcast placement treatments, fertilizer was spread by hand over the top of the pre-beds and incorporated by rototilling.? Following rototilling, the beds were shaped and pressed.? Beds were spaced 4-ft apart, center-to-center, were 6 inches in height, and 24 inches across the top surface.? For the band placement treatments, fertilizer was placed in a 6-inch-wide band on the bed surface and pressed lightly into the soil. Following fertilizer application, the beds were fumigated (2 knives) with 98 methyl bromide -2 chloropicrin mixture at 350 lbs? per acre (broadcast rate) and covered with white-on-black polyethylene mulch film (Sonoco Film Products, Hartsville, SC).? During mulching, drip irrigation tubing was laid on the surface in the center o