Abstract. The investigation of the effect of a cultivar and direct covering of the plants on the growth and yielding of the sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) grown in a field in the climate conditions of Olsztyn was carried out in 2005-2006. The highest general yield – 5.0 kg·m^-2 and commercial yield – 4.8 kg·m^-2 was obtained from the fruit of the sweet pepper of Mira cultivar grown in a field with direct covering using PP 17 non-woven material in 2005.

The growth and yielding of the sweet pepper
(Capsicum annuum L.) grown in a field
in climatic conditions of Olsztyn

Summary

In 2005-2006 the investigation of the impact of a cultivar and direct covering of the plants on the growth and yield of the sweet pepper grown in a field in climatic conditions of Olsztyn was carried out. The research included cultivars with lowered thermal requirements: ‘Iga’, ‘Lena’, ‘Mira’, ‘Trapez’, ‘Zorza’. In 2005 in the period from May to August more favourable thermal conditions for the growth and yielding of the sweet pepper were observed in comparison with 2006. In the examined 2005 the plants and fruit reached the highest values of the investigated features. The plants of ‘Trapez’ cultivar were the highest – 34.3 cm. They also had the biggest unit mass of a fruit – 126.0 g. In 2005 the plants of the sweet pepper of Mira cultivar grown in a field with direct covering with the use of PP 17 non-woven material showed the highest general yield 5.0 kg·m^-2 and commercial yield – 4.8 kg·m^-2.

The research carried out in 2005-2006 revealed that cultivation of the sweet pepper in a field with direct covering of the plants with the use of non-woven material creates more favourable growth conditions in the early vegetation period and enables to obtain a satisfactory yield.