Nonlinear Mixed-Effect Models to Describe Growth Curves of Pepper Fruits in Eight Cultivars Including Group Effects

Evaluating the behavior of fruit width and length characters throughout pepper crop cycle is essential for researchers in decision-making aimed at developing appropriate management techniques harvesting fruits proper growth stages. The Nonlinear Mixed-Effect Models (NLME) method recommended to jointly model residuals entire database, including group effects, describe curves. This work compared four nonlinear equations (Gompertz, Logistic, Richards, von Bertalanffy) by groups (pepper bell pepper) genotypes’ growth. Of eight genotypes used, three were pepper, five pepper. For each, measured 10 periods. According fit-quality measures studied, best adjusting was Richards (Radj.2=0.9960), while width, it Logistic (Radj.2=0.9957). estimated random effects showed that asymptotic time inflection point presented a correlation 0.75, indicating positive association between these traits. however, this result different: −0.02. NLME adjustment allowed efficient prediction values characterization studied genotypes, proving be an longitudinal data.