Jiqiong Yan

Jinhua Wucheng District Jiaojiao Agricultural Co., Ltd, Jinhua 321025, Zhejiang, China
Author    Correspondence author
Genomics and Applied Biology, 2026, Vol. 17, No. 4   
Received: 10 Jun., 2026    Accepted: 14 Jul., 2026    Published: 26 Jul., 2026

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Planting density is a critical agronomic factor regulating crop population structure, resource utilization, and yield formation in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) production. Improper planting density can lead to excessive competition for light, water, and nutrients, resulting in reduced photosynthetic efficiency, imbalanced biomass allocation, and unstable yield performance. This review summarizes the effects and underlying mechanisms of planting density on pepper growth, physiological processes, yield components, and fruit quality. Changes in planting density influence canopy architecture, leaf area index, light interception, root development, and microclimatic conditions, thereby affecting carbon assimilation and resource acquisition. Moderate planting density optimizes source–sink relationships, improves photosynthetic capacity, enhances nutrient and water use efficiency, and promotes reproductive development, including flowering, fruit setting, and fruit expansion. Excessive density often causes canopy shading, increased disease risks, and reduced individual plant productivity, whereas insufficient density limits land resource utilization and decreases population yield potential. Furthermore, this review discusses the physiological, ecological, and molecular mechanisms involved in density-induced adaptation, as well as strategies integrating planting density with irrigation, fertilization, and precision agriculture technologies. A case study is presented to demonstrate the practical application of density optimization for improving pepper yield formation and production efficiency. Future research should focus on developing dynamic density management strategies based on cultivar characteristics, environmental conditions, and intelligent agricultural technologies to achieve sustainable and high-yield pepper production.

Planting density; Pepper production; Yield formation; Canopy architecture; Resource use efficiency