Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a mycorrhizal inoculation (AMF) and irrigation regime on certain yield morphological parameters and the biological value of fruits of open field-grown sweet pepper under temperate climate conditions. A study on the Polish hybrid cultivar ‘Roberta F1’ was conducted over the period 2016–2018 in a private certified organic farm. Sweet pepper was harvested at physiological maturity from the second 10 days of August to the first 10 days of October. AMF and irrigation were shown to significantly modify the selected morphological parameters of the peppers. Fruits with the highest weight, length, and width were harvested from AMF-inoculated plants, both irrigated and non-irrigated ones. The chemical composition and antioxidant activity (AA) of pepper fruit extracts were significantly affected by AMF and irrigation. AMF application contributed to a decrease in the percentage of dry matter, vitamin C, reducing sugars, extract, carotenoids, and AA. Irrigation, on the other hand, had a beneficial effect on enhancing the biological value of pepper fruits (except for vitamin C), also increasing their AA. The highest levels of carotenoids (4.64 mg 100 g−1 of fresh matter (FM) were found in the fruits of irrigated plants without AMF, whereas the highest levels of vitamin C (134.10 mg 100 g−1 FM) were accumulated by the fruits of plants grown without AMF and without irrigation.
Highlights
Capsicum annuum L. is one of the five domesticated pepper species, which was probably domesticated in one or two areas of Mexico, notably the north-eastern and central-eastern regions [1,2,3]
The cultivation method and certain agronomic practices can significantly increase the quality of pepper fruits and their biological value [8,9,10,11,12]
The fruits of irrigated plants subjected to mycorrhizal inoculation were distinguished by the greatest thickness of the pericarp
Summary
Capsicum annuum L. (sweet pepper) is one of the five domesticated pepper species, which was probably domesticated in one or two areas of Mexico, notably the north-eastern and central-eastern regions [1,2,3]. Sweet pepper is grown across the world as a vegetable, spice, and medicinal plant in order to obtain fresh and dried peppers as well as processed products. Pepper is very sensitive to water stress and water deficit reduces fresh fruit yield [13,14]. The irrigation level and frequency have an impact on the yield quality parameters of peppers grown under field conditions and an appropriate irrigation system is recommended in order to obtain higher yields of better quality [15,16,17]. Irrigation management techniques based on soil sensors are helpful in achieving a high pepper yield [18]. Irrigation in mulched soil ensures higher productivity of peppers with lower water consumption, increasing water use efficiency [19]
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