How Much Water Does a Bell Pepper Need?
The accelerating need for good-quality water has increased the thirst for knowledge of how to grow premium producelike delicious bell pepperswith the least possible amount of water. Like growers in the Middle East, vegetable producers working 9,000 miles away in Californias famed San Joaquin Valleyone of the worlds most productive agricultural regionsgrow bell peppers in an often-parched environment. Bell peppers, along with broccoli, lettuce, and onions, are relatively new crops for the west side of the San Joaquin Valley. Theres very little information about pepper plants water use here on the west side, says James E. Ayars, an ARS agricultural engineer. Hes based at ARSs San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center at Parlier, California. Applying too little water can stress the plants, which can lower their resistance to attack by insects or diseases, notes soil scientist Steven R. Evett. Applying too much water is not only wasteful but also poses a risk that the excess water wi
