Simulation of Plant Height, Fruit Growth and Yield of Pepper under Different Film Mulching Conditions Based on Logistic Model

Purpose To study the relationship among pepper plant height, fruit growth and fruit setting time under different plastic film mulching methods in Kunming area, and to establish a pepper yield prediction model, providing technical guidance for pepper film mulch planting.

Methods From 2020 to 2021, mulching film planting experiments were carried out to analyze the effects of different mulching methods and mulching colors on the pepper plant height, fruit fresh weight and fruit diameter. The experimental results of plant height and fruit growth was used to verify the simulation accuracy of Logistic model, and the model was used to predict the highest yield of pepper under different treatments.

Results Except for the coefficient of determination (R²) <0.88 for plant height under film-mulching planting treatment, the root mean square error (RMSE) >20%, and the R²<0.70 and RMSE>20% for transverse diameter of fruit under non film-mulching planting treatment, the established model had high accuracy for simulating pepper plant growth, pepper fruit longitudinal and transverse diameters with fruit setting time, and prediction of pepper yield.

Conclusion The established model can well simulate the development of pepper plant height and fruit growth with physiological time under different mulching methods in Kunming area.