Abstract
Pepper species have been described as being highly sensitive to climate change. Here, we discuss the variability of the agro-morphological and phytochemical responses of pepper cultivars in the context of ongoing climate changes during seven stages of maturity, including heat stress. The effects and interactions were calculated to determine the source of variation according to rising temperature. Capsaicin content (CAP), total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid (TFC) levels and antioxidant activity (AA) were also determined at different harvest times (at 10, 25, 40, 55, 70, 85 and 100 days after anthesis, DAA). Agro-morphological data showed that the highest variation was recorded for fruit traits compared to flower and plant ones. In particular, calyx shape margin, calyx annular constriction, fruit shape at blossom end and fruit size had a significant impact on the morphologic diversity among accessions. Levels of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity depended on the genotype and the harvest time. TPC and AA increased at 100 DAA, while TFC were highly detected at the early harvest. Principal component analysis (PCA) allowed us to separate three clusters with well-defined biochemical traits. In particular, regardless of harvest time, Baklouti Chébika, Baklouti Sbikha and Chaabani accessions presented higher levels of TPC, TFC and AA regardless of the considered harvest time. In conclusion, high genetic variability was noted within the analyzed pepper germplasm, thus suggesting the need for major consideration of both agro-morphological and biochemical traits for pepper breeding programs. The current research was conducted to facilitate better management under high-stress conditions due to global warming
Highlights
The atmospheric CO2 concentration has increased by approximately 50% since human activities have increased the abundance of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere, exceeding 400 ppm [1]
Pepper fruits are widely appreciated for their high nutritional value, as they are known as a source of alkaloids, holding various pharmacological properties, properties, and for possessing polyphenols, especially phenolic acids and flavonoids, which reduce the risk of some cancer types and cardiovascular diseases [6,7,8]2. oTf u15nisia is the largest producer of chilies in the African continent [9], where the versatility of pedo-climatic conditions favors the cultivation of a large number of adapted panedppfoerrpaocscseessssiinognpsotlhyapthedniofflse,resinpefcriaulilty cphhaenraoclitceraicsitdiscsa.ndThfleayvohnaovides,bweheinchpraerdtuiaclelytheinvestigriastkeodf asonmdedcaatnacehratvyepersevaneadlecadrdthioavtassocumlaer odfistehaesesse [l6a–n8d].rTaucensisicaoinsttahienlarergmesatrpkraobdleucaemr ounts ooff cchapiliseasicininthaendAfarnictaionxciodnatnint ecnotm[9p]o, uwnhdesre, wthheicvherasarteiluitsyeofuf lpfeodrot-hcleimpartoiccecsosnindgitiionndsustries
The fruit shape at blossom end was mainly blunt (FSBb), reaching 58.7% relative frequency, while the fruit shape at pedicel attachment was more variable among the studied chili pepper accessions, ranging from acute (38.9%) or obtuse (FSPo) (34.7%) to truncate (FSPt) (26.4%)
Summary
The atmospheric CO2 concentration has increased by approximately 50% since human activities have increased the abundance of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere, exceeding 400 ppm [1]. The recent increase in the average temperature and the atmospheric CO2 concentration is already leading to global severe abiotic changes in climate. Plants such as pepper are expected to face abiotic stresses [2,3]. Plant Material n22..o1Mr.tPhaEltaleanerntviaMdelnsamataenurididtaodlMclheetthhooof ndTosuunsicshiai,li pepper accessions, derived from four sites were studied: ‘BakloutiChébika’ (BaklC), located ‘Beldi’. Annual climatic conditions in the four Tunisian sites where chili pTehpepseereadcscewsseiorenssowwerne uconldleecrtegdr.eenhouse conditions and the seedlings were transp20la.1nt◦TeCdh;eiannsentheudeaslemxwpeeearrneimtsoeotnwatlanrlafiuinenflddalel(r:h4ug1mr5eiedmnimhtyo):u, 7isn3ec%lcu;odanindnngituiaaolncmsomaeanpndlertteehlareatinsvedeeodtmelmiinzpegdesrabwtluoercreke: transpwliatnhttehdreine rtehpeliecxaptieornims, efonrtaal ftioetladl (ohfu5m5 ipdlaitnyt:s7p3e%r;palnont.uPalromveidainngreplaetpivpeertsemwiptheraadtuer-e: 20.1 °qCu;ataenwnuataelr mis eeasnsentotitaall, wraiitnhf1aliln: c4h15ofmwmat)e,r ipnecrluwdeienkg, aancdoimt ips lneetecersasanrdyotmo iazdejdusbt ltohcek with tahmreoeunret polricfaretiqounesn,cfyordaurtiontgalhooft,5d5rpylpanertisopdes,r apfltoert.rParinofvaildl ionrgifptehpepseorisl iws istahnaddyeaqnudate watderrainssefsassetn. The applied rate of pesticide was determined according to the relative pest, followed by a survey of the disease infestation on all the plant parts and fruits
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