Assessment of Bentazon Tolerance in Pepper (Capsicumsp.)

Abstract

Preliminary evaluation of 11 pepper genotypes indicated a high degree of variability in bentazon tolerance. ‘Bohemian Chile’ and ‘Santanka’ hot pepper tolerated bentazon similarly in subsequent greenhouse and field experiments. Yields or shoot fresh weights of these two cultivars were not reduced by up to 9.0 kg ai/ha bentazon in the field. ‘Keystone Resistant Giant’ sweet pepper was more susceptible to bentazon compared to the tolerant cultivars, but it was more tolerant than the highly susceptible cultivar, ‘Sweet Banana’. An F1hybrid of Keystone Resistant Giant and Santanka tolerated bentazon better than Keystone Resistant Giant but slightly less than Santanka. Thus, bentazon tolerance in this genotype is genetically transferrable, and increasing bentazon tolerance through conventional plant breeding techniques may be possible.