The effect of plant density and pruning on yield and some agronomic characters of pepino (Solanum muricatum Ait.)

Pepino is a minor crop both in the world and in Turkey. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of plant density and pruning on yield and some quality parameters of pepino to promote its production in Turkey. Pepino plants which were propagated by cutting under mist propagation were transplanted in plastic greenhouse. The spacing was 1 m between rows and 25 cm (36 plants), 50 cm (18 plants) and 75 cm (12 plants) within rows. Plants were pruned as 1, 2 and 3 branched in each plant spacing plot. The experimental design was designed split blocks with three replications. Some characters as plant height, diameter of main stem were measured. Number of internodes on main stem was counted. Number of flower were counted and rate of fruit set of these flowers were examined. Yield and some fruit quality parameters (fruit weight, fruit length, fruit width, length of fruit cavity, width of fruit cavity, flesh thickness and total soluble solids) were also measured. The results indicated that 25 cm plant spacing with 2 branched plants had higher values in case of yield and measured plant and fruit parameters