Abstract
ABSTRACT Low water availability affects plant photosynthesis, growth, and yield. In this study, physiological and biometric traits were evaluated in black pepper cultivars (Kottanadan and Bragantina) growing under water deficit conditions, according to a randomized block design, with two factors [two pepper cultivars and six water deficit levels]. Nine replicates were used for each treatment. The plant survival percentage was 90% and 10% in Kottanadan (after 12 WDD) and Bragantina (after 10 WDD), respectively. Relative water content (RWC), photosynthetic pigments, and JIP-test parameters were reduced in Bragantina pepper cultivar with water deprivation, except the basal quantum yield of the process non-photochemical in PSII (Fo/Fm), which increased with water deficit. Shoot and root dry matter accumulation, leaf number, and root volume were reduced at 10 and 12 WDD in Bragantina and Kottanadan pepper cultivars, respectively. The results obtained in this study showed that the two pepper cultivars differed strongly in their responses to the water deficit. The Kottanadan pepper cultivar showed an advantage over the Bragantina considering their high photochemical performance maintained until 12 WDD, showing better stability and efficiency in utilizing excitation energy under low water availability.
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