Bell Pepper Seedlings Research Articles

Effects of Methyl Jasmonate and Salicylic Acid on Increasing Cold Tolerance of Bell Pepper (cv.Emily) Seedlings

Effects of Methyl Jasmonate and Salicylic Acid on Increasing Cold Tolerance of Bell Pepper (cv.Emily) Seedlings

Height Control in Three Pepper Types Treated with Drench-applied Abscisic Acid

Vegetable transplants can have excessive internode elongation before field establishment, producing challenges for the growers using mechanical transplanters to establish their crops. Thus, controlling the height of vegetable transplants before planting could be an advantage for commercial vegetable growers. A greenhouse experiment was conducted in 2008 (Year 1–2008) and 2009 (Year 2–2009) to determine the efficacy of exogenous drench-applied abscisic acid (ABA) applications for height control of transplanted pepper. Three types of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) were investigated: bell pepper ‘Aristotle’, Jalapeño ‘Grande’, and banana pepper ‘Pageant’. In this greenhouse study, 10 ABA treatments, based on application frequency and timing, and an untreated control were arranged in a randomized complete block design with six (Year 1–2008) or five (Year 2–2009) replications and were evaluated over an 8-week period each year. Treatments included: single application at Week 1 (cotyledon stage), Week 2, Week 3, and Week 4; double applications were made at Weeks 1 + 2, Weeks 2 + 3, and Weeks 3 + 4; and multiple applications of ABA at Weeks 1 + 2 + 3, Weeks 2 + 3 + 4, and Weeks 1 + 2 + 3 + 4. All ABA applications were delivered as a drench applied directly to the planting container at a rate of 250 mg·L−1 ABA. Early, single-dose applications (Week 1) were more effective at controlling height than a single dose applied later; a Week 1 application measured during week 5 was 4.1 cm versus a Week 4 application measured at Week 5, which was 5.7 cm. Multiple ABA applications initiated early (at the cotyledon stage) of ‘Aristotle’ bell peppers were effective in controlling transplant height compared with any single ABA application; measured at Week 5, an application at Week 1 + 2 was 3.1 cm compared with the single application treatments from that same measurement date, which ranged from 4.1 to 5.7 cm. Differences among the response of pepper types to ABA application were observed. ‘Aristotle’ had significant treatment effects even 6 weeks after treatment. ‘Pageant’ (banana pepper) exhibited an intermediate response with effects lasting only 2 weeks. No significant height reductions resulting from ABA treatment were observed for ‘Grande’ (Jalapeño pepper). Multiple ABA dose applications initiated at the cotyledon plant growth stage can be used to effectively control transplant height of ‘Aristotle’ bell pepper seedlings.

Efeito da utilização de biofertilizante bovino na produção de mudas de pimentão irrigadas com água salina

An experiment was carried out during the period of December/2008 to February/2009 in order to evaluate the effects of bovine biofertilizer on the yield of bell pepper plants (Capsicum annuum L.), cv. All Big., under irrigation with saline water. Treatments were arranged in randomized blocks using the factorial design 5 × 2, corresponding to five levels of irrigation water electric conductivity (0.3; 1.5; 2.5; 3.5 and 4.5 dS m-1), and two substrates, without and with bovine biofertilizer. The irrigation was carried out based on the weighting process, by daily providing the volume of each type of  evapotranspirated water, in order to elevate the soil to the field capacity level.. The evaluated variables were seedling emergence speed, normal emerged seedlings percentage, stem diameter and height growth, main root length, dry matter of the roots and shoots and electric conductivity of the substrate saturation extract. The increase of salinity on the irrigation water resulted in expressive losses in the plants emergence and growth, but the decreaseswere lower in treatments with the bovine biofertilizer. In the substrate, the electric conductivity was increased as function of the irrigation water salinity level increase , but in lower proportion in treatments with organic input. Bell pepper seedlings irrigated with saline water in soil without bovine biofertilizer did not present adequate quality for transplanting. However, in treatments with the organic fertilizer and irrigation with saline water with electric conductivity up to 3 dS m-1, the seedlings showed adequate conditions for transplanting.

Effects of Saline Water on Growth and Physiology of Bell Pepper Seedlings

ABSTRACT Use of saline water to produce pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) transplants could have deleterious effects on their growth and physiology because they are moderately sensitive to salinity. Various levels of saline water (0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 dS·m−1) were applied to examine effects on growth and physiology of bell pepper transplants grown in containerized trays under greenhouse conditions. There were no significant differences in growth or physiology of plants receiving 0.5 or 1.5 dS·m−1. Final emergence of seedlings was only reduced at salinities ≥3.5 dS·m−1 compared with 0.5 dS·m−1. Roots were more affected than shoots by increasing salinity. Within shoots, fresh and dry weights of stems were more affected than those of leaves. Relative growth rates were similar at the lowest salinity levels and then declined. Stomatal conductance, transpiration, and photosynthesis rates decreased linearly with increasing salinity. The effect of salinity was greater on stomatal conductance and transpiration than on photosynthesis for plants receiving ≥2.5 dS·m−1. Depending on the approach, water use efficiency was enhanced (physiological) or lowered (agronomic) as salinity increased.

Organic Vegetable Transplant Production

The efficacy of using potting media and fertilizers that are alternatives to conventional materials to produce vegetable transplants needs clarification. Bell pepper, onion and watermelon seed were sown in Container Mix, Lawn and Garden Soil, and Potting Soil, which can be used for organic production in greenhouse transplant production. The alternative media were amended with a 1× rate of Sea Tea liquid fertilizer. Comparisons were made to a system using a conventional potting medium, Reddi-Earth, fertilized with a half-strength (0.5×) rate of a soluble synthetic fertilizer (Peters). Watermelon, bell pepper and onion seedlings were lifted at 3, 6, and 8 weeks, respectively, and heights and dry weights determined. Watermelon were sufficiently vigorous for transplanting regardless of which medium and fertilizer was used. Bell pepper and onion at the scheduled lifting were sufficiently vigorous only if produced with conventional materials. Additional experiments were designed to determine the reason(s) for the weaker seedlings when the alternative products were used. Seedlings maintained in transplant trays, in which media amended weekly with Sea Tea were required to be held for up to an additional 34 days before being vigorous enough for transplanting. Six-week-old bell pepper, or 8-week-old onion, seedlings were transferred to Reddi-Earth in pots and supplied with Sea Tea or Peters fertilizer. Bell pepper treated with Peters were taller and heavier, but onions plants were similar in height and weight regardless of fertilizer used. Other pepper seed were planted in Reddi-Earth and fertilized weekly with Sea Tea at 0.5×, 1×, 2×, or 4× the recommended rate, or the 0.5× rate of Peters. There was a positive linear relationship between seedling height and dry weight for seedlings treated with increasing rates of Sea Tea. Other pepper seed were planted in to Potting Soil, or an organically certified potting medium (Sunshine), and fertilized with a 2× or 4× rate of Sea Tea or a 1×, 2×, or 4× rate of an organic fertilizer (Rocket Fuel), or in Reddi-Earth fertilized with a 0.5× rate of Peters. There was a positive linear relationship between the rate of Rocket Fuel and heights and dry weights of bell pepper seedlings. However, even at the highest rate seedlings were not equivalent to those produced with conventional practices. Plants treated with the 4× rate of Sea Tea were similar to those produced using conventional materials. Use of Sunshine potting medium and the 4× rate of Sea Tea will produce bell pepper seedlings equivalent in height and dry weight to those produced using conventional materials. The 4× rate of Rocket Fuel used in Sunshine potting medium will produce adequate bell pepper seedlings. The original poor showing of seedlings in the alternative potting media appears to be due to fertilization with Sea Tea at a rate that does not adequately support seedling development.

Napropamide Residues in Runoff and Infiltration Water from Pepper Production

A field study was conducted on a Lowell silty loam soil of 2.7% organic matter at the Kentucky State University Research Farm, Franklin County, Kentucky. Eighteen universal soil loss equation (USLE) standard plots (22 × 3.7 m each) were established on a 10% slope. Three soil management practices were used: (i) class-A biosolids (sewage sludge), (ii) yard waste compost, each mixed with native soil at a rate of 50 ton acre−1 on a dry-weight basis, and (iii) a no-mulch (NM) treatment (rototilled bare soil), used for comparison purposes. Devrinol 50-DF “napropamide” [N,N-diethyl-2-(1-naphthyloxy) propionamide]was applied as a preemergent herbicide, incorporated into the soil surface, and the plots were planted with 60-day-old sweet bell pepper seedlings. Napropamide residues one hour following spraying averaged 0.8, 0.4, and 0.3 μ g g− 1 dry soil in sewage sludge, yard waste compost, and no-mulch treatments, respectively. Surface runoff water, runoff sediment, and napropamide residues in runoff were significantly reduced by the compost and biosolid treatments. Yard waste compost treatments increased water infiltration and napropamide residues in the vadose zone compared to sewage sludge and NM treatments. Total pepper yields from yard waste compost amended soils (9187 lbs acre−1) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than yield from either the soil amended with class-A biosolids (6984 lbs acre−1) or the no-mulch soil (7162 lbs acre −1).

Height Control of Vegetable Seedlings by Greenhouse Light Manipulation

ABSTRACT The response of bell pepper and watermelon transplants to rigid photoselective plastic panels with four concentrations of a far red (FR) light absorbing dye was tested to develop greenhouse light manipulation as a non-chemical alternative for height control. Far red light interception increased, and transmission of photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) decreased as dye concentration increased. Light transmitted through photoselective panels reduced height of bell pepper and watermelon seedlings by ≈ 30%. The shoot dry weight of plants was also reduced with increasing dye concentration. Rigid panels with a higher dye concentration were slightly more effective in reducing plant height but the reduction in PPF with increasing dye concentration can adversely affect plant growth and development. Based on initial results, photoselective, polyethylene films were produced with a dye concentration that resulted in 75% light transmission (phytochrome photoequilibrium of 0.80) for further testing. The response o...

654 Vegetable Transplant Biological Control Amendments

Bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) seedlings treated with various biological preparations exhibited increased root and shoot growth both in the greenhouse and during subsequent field establishment. Early fruit set and pod development showed signs of possible yield improvement by the treatments, but treatment differences were not apparent at first harvest. Data from subsequent harvests did show yield increases with some preparations. Treatment organisms appeared to activate or induce systemic resistance to bacterial spot (Xanthomonas campestris) infestation though not to the level shown by Actigard (Novartis). Crop/treatment response under soil solarization, fumigation, and compost amended conditions will be discussed.

Effect of Photoselective Plastic Films on the Growth of Bell Pepper Transplants

Removing far-red (FR) light from the greenhouse environment with liquid copper sulfate filters is an effective alternative to application of chemical growth regulators for height control of greenhouse crops. However, liquid filters have limited value in commercial operations because of handling difficulties. In this study, we report the effectiveness of photoselective plastic films that contain a FR intercepting dyestuff in controlling height of `Capistrano' bell pepper seedlings. Four types of treatment films, BCE-L (control), YCE-1 #80L, YCE-1 #75L and YCE-1 #65L, with R:FR ratios of 1.2, 1.7, 2.3 and 3.7, respectively, and one 4% liquid copper sulfate (CuSO4·5H2O) filter with R:FR of 3.5 were used as the covering materials of experimental chambers. Heights of plants grown under YCE-1 #75 or #65 films were ≈30% lower than the control plants. YCE-1 #80 film reduced plant height by ≈15%. Plant height reductions were apparent within 1 to 2 weeks after initiation of the treatments. Plants grown in YCE-1 #75, YCE-1 #65 and CuSO4 chambers had significantly lower total leaf area, leaf size, and leaf and stem dry weights than those grown in the control chamber. No differences were observed between YCE-1 #80 and control plants. No difference was found in the total chlorophyll concentration and the ratio of chlorophyll a to b between the treatment and control plants. Results imply that in peppers, a dyestuff concentration that yields a R:FR over 2 was effective in achieving over 30% height control. Although the filters with R:FR ratios higher than 2 were more effective in controlling height and producing compact pepper plants, the reduction in light intensity, or photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) by increasing dyestuff can reduce dry matter accumulation.

The Use of Rye as a Living Mulch to Control Weeds in Bell Pepper Production

The possibility of using annual grain rye (Secale cereale L.) as a living mulch between rows of black plastic mulch was investigated. Rye was seeded immediately after plastic was laid and ≈30 days before transplanting bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) seedlings. Rye growth was controlled by postemergence herbicides and mowing or was left unmowed. These treatments were compared to a weedy control, cultivation, and standard preemergence herbicides for their effect on weed control and bell pepper yield. Within the rye treatments, the unmowed rye provided the best weed control and significantly decreased the number and size of weeds between crop rows. The rye cover crop also significantly reduced the yield of peppers. In both the mowed and unmowed rye treatments, total marketable yield was reduced 50% compared to clean cultivated and herbicide-treated plots. Further work is needed to minimize the competition between the living mulch and the crop.

Control of Pepper Weevil with Azadirachtin and Synthetic Insecticides on Bell Pepper, Spring 1994

Abstract Greenhouse raised bell pepper seedlings were transplanted on 7 Feb, 12 inches apart between plants in single rows on raised beds covered with black polyethylene film mulch. Beds were prepared by fumigation with 33/67 chloropicrin/methyl bromide at 220 lbs/acre and fertilized with a bottom mix of 800 lbs/acre of 5-16-8 and a top mix of 1000 lbs/acre of 19-0-30. Rows were 240 feet long on 12 foot centers and watered by subirrigation. Two rows were divided into 4 blocks of 120 feet, each block consisting of 6, 20-ft plots. Plants were sprayed weekly with a fungicide rotating between a mix of 3.0 lbs Kocide DF plus 1.0 lb/acre Maneb 80 W and Bravo applied at 32 oz/acre. Six treatments were assigned to each block in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications. Applications were made on 9 consecutive weeks starting 14 Mar using a 12 tank sprayer equipped with a diaphragm pump powered by a gasoline engine. The sprayer was mounted on a small trailer pulled by a 4-wheel drive Suzuki ATV at 2 MPH. Spray was distributed by a single row boom consisting of 2 side drops with 2 nozzles each and one over the row nozzle for a total of 5 nozzles. Albuz ATR® “red” ceramic tipped nozzles were used at 80 PSI of pump pressure for a delivery rate of 35 gal/acre. An adjuvant, ASPA 80® (Amway Corp.), was added to treatments containing Lorsban, Vydate and Karate at 0.05% v/v and NeemGuard® at 0.14% v/v for the Azadirachtin 4.5%. Following a pretreatment count which yielded an average of 0.13 weevils per 10 plant sample per block, adult weevils were counted weekly on 10 randomly selected plants per plot and bud and fruit drop caused by weevils was evaluated. Aphid infestations on these plants were evaluated by visually rating on a scale of 1 to 5 beginning 5 Apr. Aphid parasitism was evaluated beginning on 25 Apr by counting mummies and nonparasitized apterous aphids from 9 leaves per plot treated with Lorsban and control. Ten plants from each plot were harvested and graded for marketability on 9 May. Nonmarketable fruit was further graded into 3 categories based on type of damage.

Bell Pepper Seedling Growth and Yield following Pretransplant Nutritional Conditioning

To reduce transplant shock of bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L.), we tested the effectiveness of pretransplant nutritional conditioning (PNC) as a promoter of earliness and yield. In Expt. 1, `Gatorbelle' bell pepper seedlings were fertilized with N from Ca(NO3)2 at 25, 75, or 225 mg·liter-1 and P from Ca(H2PO4)2 at 5, 15, or 45 mg·liter-1. Nitrogen interacted with P, affecting shoot fresh and dry weight, leaf area, root dry weight, seedling height, and leaf count. In Expt. 2, transplants conditioned with N from 50, 100, and 200 mg·liter-1 and P at 15, 30, and 60 mg·liter-1 were field-planted in Charleston, S.C., and Clinton, N.C. Nitrogen- and P-PNC did not greatly affect recovery from transplant shock. Although N- and P-PNC affected seedling growth in the greenhouse, earliness, total yield, and quality were similar in field studies among all PNC treatments at both locations. PNC with 50 mg N and 15 mg P/liter can be used with this variety and not have any long-term detrimental effects on yield and quality.

Plant Size Influences Bell Pepper Seed Quality and Yield

This study investigated the influence of plant size, as determined by plant density, and fruit load variation on the production and quality of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) seeds. Six-week-old `Resistant Giant no. 4' bell pepper seedlings were transplanted 15, 30, 45, and 60 cm apart. Plants spaced 45 cm apart were not thinned or were thinned to one or three fruit per plant. Pepper plants grown at low plant densities produced larger fruit and seeds that germinated faster and at higher percentages than plants grown at higher densities. Assimilate export rate (AER) increased linearly with plant spacing. At harvest, C exchange rate (CER) and AER of plants with nonthinned fruit loads were ≈ 300% and 500% higher, respectively, than those of plants with one or three fruit. Fruit thinning decreased CER and AER; however, seeds produced by plants with one or three fruit had significantly higher germination percentages than plants with full fruit loads. These observations suggest that the high CERS of smaller plants with nonthinned fruit loads may have been insufficient to compensate completely for the higher sink demands. Therefore, crop cultural practices that increase the ratio of pepper plant size to total fruit count may increase the quality of seeds produced by those plants.

Development of a Seedling-applied Antitranspirant Formulation to Enhance Water Status, Growth, and Yield of Transplanted Bell Pepper

The objective of this research was to develop an effective antitranspirant formulation for reducing transplant shock (transitory water stress) in bell pepper (Capsicm annuum L.) seedlings. A formulation with a paraffin wax emulsion (Folicote at 5%) and a spreader/sticker type surfactant (Biofilm at 0.5%) was effective as an antitranspirant. This formulation was less phytotoxic than other formulations tested. Application of the formulation led to increased leaf water potential (Ψ w) i in transplanted seedlings for several days as compared with untreated transplants. When this, (relatively) nonphytotoxic formulation was used in a field study for 1 year, increased seedling Ψ w during a period of imposed water stress led to less leaf abscission and increased plant growth throughout the growing season. Chemical names used: alkylarylpolyethoxyethanol (Biofilm).

Tolerance of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) and Bell Pepper (Capsicum annum) to Clomazone

Pronounced differences in the tolerance of tomatoes and bell peppers to clomazone observed in field studies were confirmed in a greenhouse experiment. In greenhouse studies, preemergence clomazone rates causing 50% visible injury on bell pepper and tomato seedlings 10 days after application were 9.4 and 0.1 kg/ha, respectively. Based on growth inhibition, bell peppers were 40-fold more tolerant of clomazone than tomatoes 20 days after clomazone application. In laboratory studies investigating the basis for differential clomazone tolerance, no differences in uptake of 14C-clomazone from nutrient solutions between tomato and bell pepper plants were observed after 24 h. Minor differences were observed in the distribution of 14C label within plants; a higher percentage of 14C was recovered in bell pepper roots than in tomato roots, while the opposite was true for the shoots. Clomazone was metabolized to two products in roots of both bell peppers and tomatoes within 48 h after treatment. Tomato shoots were more active in converting clomazone to these metabolites than were tomato roots. Bell pepper roots converted more clomazone to metabolites than did tomato roots 24 h after treatment. However, by 72 h, differences in clomazone metabolite levels between species were negligible in both roots and shoots. Enzymatic and acid hydrolysis of soluble, polaf clomazone metabolites indicated that these metabolites may be sugar conjugates of clomazone.

Root Morphology and Development of Bell Peppers

Abstract Bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L. ‘Early California Wonder’ and ‘Yolo Wonder’) were grown for 14 and 22 days in glass tubes with agar supplemented with 87.6 mm (30 g·liter–1) sucrose or without sucrose, respectively, under controlled conditions. Taproot length increased rapidly for 6 days after radicle protrusion, but its growth rate was reduced during the next 4 days for both cultivars in each medium. Basal and lateral roots emerged 5 and 6 days after germination, respectively, or just after cotyledons were expanded fully for both cultivars in either medium. However, ‘Early California Wonder’ produced basal and lateral roots 9 days after germination in agar medium without sucrose. The number of lateral roots did not increase between 6 and 10 days after radicle protrusion in agar medium without sucrose. However, emergence of lateral roots was pronounced during this period in agar amended with sucrose. Root morphological characteristics, shoot weight, shoot:root ratio, and stem height differed minimally between ‘Early California Wonder’ and ‘Yolo Wonder’. The sequence of root development in bell pepper seedlings was characterized by a) rapid taproot elongation from radicle protrusion to fully expanded cotyledons, b) emergence of basal roots followed by lateral roots when cotyledons were fully expanded, and c) increase in the number of basal and lateral roots numbers particularly in the presence of sucrose and reduction in the rate of taproot elongation. Exogenous sucrose reduced the variability for most measured shoot and root characteristics.

Antitranspirant Associated Abscisic Acid Effects on the Water Relations and Yield of Transplanted Bell Peppers

Greenhouse and field experiments were performed to determine if increased leaf resistance induced by exogenous application of abscisic acid (ABA) could enhance the water status of transplanted bell pepper seedlings. Seedling survival and yield were also monitored in the field experiment. When seedlings were transplanted into either wet or dry potting mix in the greenhouse, ABA increased leaf resistance and leaf water potential. In the field, plots were irrigated either immediately after, or 1 day after transplanting. Under both treatments, ABA application resulted in increased leaf resistance and water potential, but seedling survival and yield were enhanced due to ABA only in plots which were irrigated 1 day after transplanting. It is concluded that antitranspirant application can reduce transplant shock and increase yield of bell pepper.

EFFICACY OF ENDOMYCORRHIZAL‐FUNGUS ISOLATES AND INOCULUM QUANTITIES REQUIRED FOR GROWTH RESPONSE*

SummaryIsolates of Glomus macroncarpum Tul. &amp; Tul. grown in soil cultures from single spores were tested at known numbers of propagules ml−1 soil for their efficacy in promoting growth of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) seedlings. The soil cultures, propagated under similar growth conditions, had from 0.02 to 25 propagules ml−1 as measured by the most probable number technique. Seven cultures with similar levels of inoculum density (a median of 7 propagules ml−1) were used undiluted, and at 10−1 and at 10−2 dilutions to test efficacy of the isolates. Also, cultures with originally dissimilar propagule levels (0.02 to 15 ml−1) were diluted to uniform inoculum density levels and tested for efficacy.Large intra‐species variation in efficacy occurred in isolates collected from different soils and in those isolated from the same soil. Differences in the growth enhancement ability of isolates were evident from four weeks after seeding until harvest. The best isolates were superior at all inoculum levels tested but the ranking of isolates differed with the inoculum density.A significant positive correlation was found between initial G. macrocarpum propagules ml−1 soil and all plant height and weight parameters measured. Growth of mycorrhizal plants was significantly greater than that of non‐mycorrhizal plants when more than 0.5 propagule ml−1 was present. With more than 5 ml−1, 70% of the isolates were effective. A minimum level of 1 propagule ml−1 is suggested for infestation of pepper seed beds; greater benefits can be expected from higher levels up to at least 10 to 15 propagules ml−1.