Shade nettings can be an effective technology for producing bell pepper under warm conditions. The physiological mechanisms through which shade nets improve plant growth and fruit yield are still not fully understood. The objectives were to determine the effects of shade level on plant and soil water status, plant growth and fruit yield of ‘Aristotle’ bell pepper. Trials were conducted in the spring/summer of 2017 and 2018 in Tifton, GA, following a randomized complete block design with five shade levels [0% (open field), 30%, 47%, 63%, and 80%]. Photosynthetic photon flux rate (PPFR) and leaf temperature decreased while soil water content and leaf water potential increased with shade level, indicating reduced plant water use due to reduced evaporative demand under shaded conditions. Increased shade levels resulted in enhanced plant growth in part because of improved plant water status. Total fruit yield and number of sunscalded fruit diminished with increasing shade level, while marketable yield was maximal at 30% shade. The incidences of soil-borne diseases [Phytophthora blight (Phytophthora capsici) and southern blight (Sclerotium rolfsii)] decreased with increasing shade levels. Overall, a shade level of 30% was found to be optimal and allowed production of maximal fruit yield through improving water availability (plant and soil water) and minimizing abiotic (drought, light, temperature) and biotic (pathogens) stresses.

遮阳网可以成为在温暖条件下生产甜椒的有效技术。遮荫网改善植物生长和果实产量的生理机制仍未完全了解。目的是确定遮荫程度对“亚里士多德”甜椒的植物和土壤水分状况、植物生长和果实产量的影响。试验于 2017 年和 2018 年春/夏在佐治亚州蒂夫顿进行，采用随机完整区组设计，具有五个遮光度等级 [0%（开阔地）、30%、47%、63% 和 80%]。光合光子通量率 (PPFR) 和叶片温度降低，而土壤含水量和叶片水势随遮荫水平而增加，表明由于遮荫条件下蒸发需求减少，植物用水量减少。阴影水平的增加导致植物生长增强，部分原因是植物水分状况的改善。随着遮荫程度的增加，果实总产量和晒伤果实数量减少，而在30%遮荫处可销售的产量最大。土传病害[疫霉病(Phytophthora blight)Phytophthora capsici ) 和南方疫病 ( Sclerotium rolfsii )] 随着遮荫程度的增加而减少。总体而言，发现 30% 的遮荫水平是最佳的，并且可以通过提高水分利用率（植物和土壤水分）和最大限度地减少非生物（干旱、光照、温度）和生物（病原体）胁迫来实现最大的果实产量。