Bell Pepper Cultivars Research Articles

English

Drechslera bicolor (Mitra.) Subram. and Jain, cause of leaf blight in bell pepper [Capsicum annuum var. grossum (L.) Sendt.], leads to necrotic lesions, early leaf senescence and yield losses. Detailed physiological analysis can contribute to an improved understanding of bell pepper disease interaction and cultivar improvement. D. bicolor produced maximum toxin in Richards’ medium and toxin was found most active at 25±2°C, pH 6.0 and 100% relative humidity. Different hosts were screened for disease resistance and it was observed that the partial purified toxin showed some degree of host specificity. Fungal toxin was able to produce symptoms in all the tested hosts with the main infected host being bell pepper. Prominent symptoms of chlorosis and wilting were observed on chilli followed by tomato, brinjal and lady finger. The detached leaf dip method followed by carborundum abrasion method was found to be the best inoculation methods in the production of wilting and chlorosis in bell pepper. These results indicated that the maintenance of physiological function during leaf blight infection could result in improved bell pepper yields under diseased conditions. Key words: Capsicum annuum var. grossum, leaf blight, physiology, phytotoxin, bioassay.

Response of greenhouse-grown bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) to variable irrigation

Aladenola, O. and Madramootoo, C. 2014. Response of greenhouse-grown bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) to variable irrigation. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 303–310. In order to optimize water use in bell pepper production information about the appropriate irrigation water applications and agronomic and physiological response to mild and severe water stress is necessary. Different water applications were tested on yield, quality and water stress threshold of greenhouse-grown bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivar Red Knight in 2011 and 2012 on the Macdonald Campus of McGill University, Ste Anne De Bellevue, QC. The study was carried out on a soil substrate in the greenhouse. Irrigation was scheduled with four treatments:120% (T1), 100% (T2), 80% (T3), and 40% (T4) replenishment of crop evapotranspiration in a completely randomized design. The highest marketable yield, water use efficiency and irrigation water use efficiency were obtained with T1 in both years. T1 received 20% more water than T2 to produce 23% more marketable yield than T2. Fruit total soluble solids content was highest in T4, and smallest in T1. The mean crop water stress index (CWSI) of the irrigation treatments ranged between 0.08 and 1.18. Leaf stomatal conductance of bell pepper was 75 to 80% lower in T4 than in T1. Regression obtained between stomatal conductance and CWSI resulted in a polynomial curve with coefficients of determination of 0.88 and 0.97 in 2011 and 2012, respectively. The result from this study indicate that the yield derived justifies the use of an extra quantity of water. Information from this study will help water regulators to make appropriate decision about water to be allocated for greenhouse production of bell pepper.

Response of greenhouse-grown bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) to variable irrigation

Aladenola, O. and Madramootoo, C. 2014. Response of greenhouse-grown bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) to variable irrigation. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 303-310. In order to optimize water use in bell pepper production information about the appropriate irrigation water applications and agronomic and physiological response to mild and severe water stress is necessary. Different water applications were tested on yield, quality and water stress threshold of greenhouse-grown bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivar Red Knight in 2011 and 2012 on the Macdonald Campus of McGill University, Ste Anne De Bellevue, QC. The study was carried out on a soil substrate in the greenhouse. Irrigation was scheduled with four treatments:120% (T1), 100% (T2), 80% (T3), and 40% (T4) replenishment of crop evapotranspiration in a completely randomized design. The highest marketable yield, water use efficiency and irrigation water use efficiency were obtained with T1 in both years. T1 received 20% more water than T2 to produce 23% more marketable yield than T2. Fruit total soluble solids content was highest in T4, and smallest in T1. The mean crop water stress index (CWSI) of the irrigation treatments ranged between 0.08 and 1.18. Leaf stomatal conductance of bell pepper was 75 to 80% lower in T4 than in T1. Regression obtained between stomatal conductance and CWSI resulted in a polynomial curve with coefficients of determination of 0.88 and 0.97 in 2011 and 2012, respectively. The result from this study indicate that the yield derived justifies the use of an extra quantity of water. Information from this study will help water regulators to make appropriate decision about water to be allocated for greenhouse production of bell pepper.

Cultivars Differences in Keeping Quality and Bioactive Constituents

The aims of this research were to evaluate the keeping quality (water loss, firmness, decay incidence) and bioactive constituents (vitamin C, antioxidant activity) of three commercial bell pepper cultivars (Selika-red, Dynamo-yellow and Sympathy-orange color) held for 21 days (d) storage at 7 oC and market simulation (3 d at 20 oC). Cultivars type significantly influenced fruit quality in bell pepper after prolonged storage. The low skin wax content (0.6 ng∙cm-2) and thin pericarp tissue (6.5 mm) in ‘Sympathy’ appeared to have contributed greatly to the high weight loss (5.2%), resulting in very soft fruits (4 mm), high decay incidence (20%) and lowest value in general appearance (2.5) among to the three cultivars. After 21 d storage at 7 oC plus 3 d at 20 oC content of ascorbic acid showed a insignificant increase in all cultivars. Hydrophilic antioxidant activity (HAA) remains practically unchanged after 3 weeks at 7 oC (between 2 and 5%) from the initial value. Total antioxidant activity (TAA) increases only in red pepper 'Selika' (6.07 µmol TE/g fr.wt.) and this increase is mainly because of changes in the lipophilic antioxidant activity (LAA - from 0.84 in harvest time increased to 2.31 µmol TE/g fr.wt. after storage).Â

Induction and exploitation of nuclear and cytoplasmic male sterility in pepper (Capsicum spp.): a review

SummaryPepper belongs to the genus Capsicum, of which five species are cultivated (C. annuum L., C. chinense Jacq., C. frutescens L., C. baccatum L. Ruiz. & Pavon, and C. pubescens). C. annuum L., which includes both hot pepper and bell pepper, is the most widely cultivated species. Commercial hybrid pepper seed is produced manually or by exploiting male sterility (MS). Both nuclear (NMS) and cytoplasmic (CMS) MS are available in pepper. Due to recessive gene control, the development of NMS lines through conventional breeding is tedious and time-consuming. Molecular markers linked to the NMS genes ms-1 and ms-8 have been developed. This will facilitate the development of new NMS lines, identify MS plants at the seedling stage, and test the purity of F1 hybrid seed. To reduce hybrid seed costs further, and to improve seed yields, there is a need to identify seedling markers to facilitate the removal of fertile plants in nursery blocks. Most reports have indicated that CMS is sensitive to low temperatures. Restorer-of-fertility genes are common in hot pepper and rare in bell pepper cultivars. Despite conflicting reports, it has been concluded that a single dominant gene (Rf) along with a modifier gene (Pr), controls the restoration of fertility in pepper. Molecular markers linked to the Rf and Pr genes and the mitochondrial CMS genes coxII and atp6 have been developed. These will facilitate the rapid screening of inbred pepper lines for Rf/rf alleles, accelerate the transfer of the rf gene in female hot pepper parents (maintainer breeding), and the Rf gene in male sweet pepper parents (restorer breeding). We have compiled up-to-date information on both NMS and CMS systems in pepper and discuss the prospects for their use in breeding for heterosis.

Evaluation of Commercial Bell Pepper Cultivars for Resistance to Phytophthora Blight (Phytophthora capsici)

Phytophthora blight (Phytophthora capsici) is an important disease of bell peppers, causing crown, root, and fruit rot as well as foliar lesions. Substantial yield losses can result from either plant death or fruit rot. Host resistance is an effective management strategy for the root and crown rot phase of the disease, and a number of commercially-available pepper cultivars are described by the supplier as intermediately resistant. In field trials conducted over 5 years, the bell pepper cultivars Archimedes, Aristotle, Intruder, and Paladin were found to be the most resistant to a single isolate of P. capsici from New York State (NY 0664-1). Cultivars ACR285, Declaration, PS 09941819, Revolution, and Vanguard showed intermediate levels of resistance. Escalade, Karisma, Keystone Giant, King of the North, and Red Knight were highly susceptible to NY 0664-1. This information will be useful to growers selecting cultivars to plant in fields with a history of Phytophthora blight. Accepted for publication 24 October 2013. Published 30 January 2014.

Hyperspectral imaging of intact bell peppers

Agricultural engineering technologies have successfully addressed certain challenges by the use of advanced sensors and machine vision technologies. The objective of this study was to develop a non-destructive method to evaluate and to map quality indices in bell pepper. Three cultivars of bell pepper (‘Ever Green’, ‘No. 117’ and ‘Celica’) were studied during maturation by using hyperspectral imaging in the visible and near-infrared (550–850 nm) region. Peppers were marked in the flowering stage and 20 samples from each variety were collected weekly, along a growing period of seven weeks, until full growth. Quality parameters like total soluble solids, total chlorophyll, carotenoid and ascorbic acid content were determined and correlated with the spectral data. Images of intact peppers were collected by an acousto-optic-tuneable-filter (AOTF) hyperspectral charged-coupled-device (CCD) camera, in spectral resolution of 5 nm. Spectral information of the hyper cubes was analysed by chemometric procedures. Partial least squares regression was used for model development. Comparisons were made between the PLS regression analysis of the reflectance spectra (R), and the pre-processed spectra such as the first derivative (D1R), log(1/R), D1(log(1/R)) and D2(log(1/R)). Models were established to predict the quality attributes creating the basis for multiple sampling of a particular fruit or individual peppers from many fruits in the same time. High correlations were obtained by the established models with coefficients of determination of 0.95, 0.95, 0.97, and 0.72 for total soluble solids, total chlorophyll, carotenoid and ascorbic acid content, respectively.

Susceptibility assessment of bell pepper genotypes to crown and root rot disease

Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum) is one of the important vegetable crops with valuable food sources, which is used almost around the world. Crown and root rot disease caused by Phytophthora capsici is one of the most important diseases of bell pepper in Iran. The present study was conducted to evaluate the susceptibility of different varieties of bell pepper to crown and root rot disease under glasshouse condition. Fourteen commonly planted genotypes of bell pepper in Iran were evaluated for their susceptibility to infection with the pathogen. For this purpose, disease severity of the chosen genotypes in different growth stages was evaluated. The results indicated that the bell pepper genotypes respond differently to pathogenicity tests. Based on cluster analyses confirmed by the results of SAS analyses, bell pepper cultivars were categorised in five distinct groups.

Integrated management of Phytophthora capsici on bell pepper by combining grafting and compost treatment

In 2010 and 2011 an initial set of trials were carried out in order to evaluate the susceptibility of rootstocks used for grafting bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) in Italy to Phytophthora capsici, in comparison with widely used cultivars of pepper. In a second set of trials carried out in 2011 and 2012, grafting bell pepper onto resistant or partially resistant rootstock was combined with the use of compost-amended soil, to control Phytophthora blight. Trials were carried out in artificially or naturally infested soil, using five bell pepper cultivars (Fenice, Sienor, San Marco, Fiume, Cuneo) as susceptible not-grafted controls. In three trials, carried out in the presence of soil artificially infested with P. capsici, disease incidence in control plots ranged from 73 to 100% for the cvs. Cuneo and Fiume. Both cvs. Cuneo and Kaiman grafted on “Tecnico F1” rootstock provided complete control of P. capsici. A lower disease control, on the same cultivar, was provided by “Robusto” and “Capsifort”. On the cv. Fiume, “Terrano” provided complete control of the disease. By grafting all cultivars on “Robusto”, “Brutus”, “Snooker” and “Capsifort” a disease reduction by 68%–93%, 86%–100%, 67%–100% and 55%–78%, respectively, was provided. The general linear model analysis showed that for trials carried out under natural infestation the addition of compost to the soil, as well as the interaction of compost-amended soil with grafting, were significant factors influencing disease incidence reduction. The effect of grafting was a significant factor in reducing the percentage of diseased plants in all the trials. The addition of compost to the soil resulted in an effective and low-cost disease management solution, particularly when combined with susceptible not-grafted hybrids of bell pepper or when partially resistant rootstocks were used.

Bell Pepper (Capsicum annum L.) Crop as Affected by Shade Level: Microenvironment, Plant Growth, Leaf Gas Exchange, and Leaf Mineral Nutrient Concentration

Use of shading nets helps ameliorate heat stress of vegetable crops. This study evaluated the effects of shade level on microenvironment, plant growth, leaf gas exchange, and mineral nutrient content of field-grown bell pepper crop. Bell pepper cultivars Camelot, Lafayette, Sirius, and Stiletto were grown at 0%, 30%, 47%, 62%, and 80% shade levels. Photosynthetically active radiation and air, leaf, and root zone temperatures decreased as shade level increased. Despite having increased plant leaf area, there was increased soil water content with increased shade level, indicating reduced soil water use. With increased shade level, the total plant leaf area, individual leaf area, and individual leaf weight increased, whereas leaf number per plant and specific leaf weight decreased. In contrast to non-normalized chlorophyll index (CI) values, CI normalized by specific leaf weight were related to leaf nitrogen (N) and increased with increased shade level. Net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance (gS) decreased and leaf transpiration increased with increased shade level, particularly above 47% shade level. Leaf concentrations of N, potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), sulfur (S), aluminum (Al), and boron (B) increased with increased shade level. Relatively few differences in plant growth, leaf gas exchange, and leaf mineral nutrient concentrations were observed among cultivars. In conclusion, morphological changes such as taller plants and thinner and larger leaves likely enhanced light capture under shaded conditions compared with unshaded plants. High shade levels reduced leaf temperature and excessive leaf transpiration but resulted in reduced leaf photosynthesis. Thus, moderate shade levels (30% and 47%) were the most favorable for bell pepper plant growth and function.

Nonlinear methods for estimation of maturity stage, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid content in intact bell peppers

The objective of the present study was to develop a fast, non-destructive method to measure the bell pepper chlorophyll content, which is one of the major maturity indices for determining harvesting time. The research is based on visible–near-infrared (VIS–NIR) and short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectrometry. Red, green and yellow varieties were examined: ‘Celica’, ‘Ever Green’ and ‘No.117’, respectively. Peppers were marked at the flowering stage, and 20 samples of each variety were collected weekly during nine weeks until full growth. Disc samples of the fruit flesh were analysed destructively, the spectrometry data were analysed chemometrically, and a nonlinear-kernel algorithm was developed for spectral data analysis. Comparisons were made between the linear and nonlinear regression analyses of the raw reflectance spectra (R), on one hand, and the preprocessed spectra such as the first derivative of R (D1R), log(1/R), D1(log(1/R)) and D2(log(1/R)), on the other hand. For further evaluation of the regression models a standardised weighted sum (SWS) index was developed, based on criterion weighting. The developed kernel algorithm, partial least squares (PLSR), and support vector machine (SVM) regression models were able to predict total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents for all three tested bell pepper cultivars, with average cross-validation errors of 0.007 and 0.01 mg g−1, respectively. The kernel nonlinear analysis of the spectral data yielded the most promising regression models for all three cultivars.

The effect of season on the growth and maturation of bell peppers

Bell peppers grown in greenhouses in the Mediterranean region are frequently subjected to high temperatures in summer and low temperatures in winter. The present experiment was designed to quantify the effect of season on pepper fruit growth, maturation and ripening. Three bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars (Yolo Wonder, California Wonder and E84066) were cultivated in an unheated greenhouse during summer and autumn. Fruit size, fresh weight and volume were higher in the autumn due to increased fruit length and pericarp weight. However, colour transition from green to red was significantly delayed in the autumn and the vitamin C concentration was also lower than in the summer. Similarly, the internal C2H4 concentration was lower at the mature red stage of the autumn-grown fruit than in the summer, whereas the respiration rate and the internal CO2 concentration did not differ. Irrespective of season, the internal C2H4 and CO2 concentrations correlated with the number of seeds per fruit, suggesting that seed metabolism significantly influenced the internal atmosphere of the fruit. Additionally, the number of seeds per fruit in the autumn correlated with fresh fruit weight and volume, but not in the summer. In conclusion, bell pepper fruits produced in the autumn were larger in size, but lower in nutritional value (less vitamin C), while the effects of growth season on the pepper fruit morphology and physiology closely related to the number of seeds per fruit in autumn, but to a less extent in summer.

Foliar-Applied Small Molecule that Suppresses Biofilm Formation and Enhances Control of Copper-Resistant Xanthomonas euvesicatoria on Pepper.

We report a small molecule additive, a member of the 2-aminoimidazole (2AI) group that is an analogue of the marine sponge natural product oroidin that suppresses resistance of Xanthomonas euvesicatoria to copper and decreases biofilm formation in an in vitro system. In laboratory experiments, 2AI combined with copper reduced both bacterial multiplication in broth and bacterial recovery on pepper leaf discs of a copper-resistant strain of X. euvesicatoria to a level close to that of a copper-sensitive strain. Compound 2AI used alone exhibited minimal bactericidal activity. In 3 years of field experiments, when combined with a copper-containing material, copper hydroxide (Kocide 3000), and other antibacterial materials, these spray mixtures resulted in decreased bacterial spot foliar disease and increased fruit yields using hybrid bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) cultivars and copper-resistant strains of X. euvesicatoria. This study demonstrates the concept for using small molecules as additives to antibacterial compounds at nonbactericidal concentrations under field conditions that, in the laboratory, were demonstrated to suppress bacterial biofilms and copper-resistant strains.

Epidermal and exodermal tissue structures are characteristic for the long shelf-life ‘Kárpia’ pepper cultivar

In this study two widely consumed Hungarian bell pepper cultivars ‘Ho’ and ‘Karpia’, were examined. Aims of the investigations were to describe the postharvest behaviour of the cultivars and assign associated traits to the largely different shelf-life that is well known for these cultivars. ‘Ho’ is a white fruit flesh cultivar with average postharvest storability, while ‘Karpia’ is of Capia type, with extended shelf-life. Postharvest water loss rates were measured, and differences between the cultivars were found. Interestingly, however, the longer shelf-life ‘Karpia’ fruits showed higher water loss rate. Bright field microscopy was used to study the tissue structure of the outer pericarp of pepper fruits to find explanation for the good storability of ‘Karpia’. Significantly more cell layers of the hypodermal collenchyma were found in ‘Karpia’, than in ‘Ho’. Thicker cell walls were also found in this tissue but also in the epidermis. Fluorescent imaging confirmed these observations and also supported dif...

Non-destructive measurement of ascorbic acid content in bell peppers by VIS-NIR and SWIR spectrometry

The present study created a basis for development of a fast, non-destructive method to measure ascorbic acid content during various growth stages of three bell pepper cultivars: ‘Ever Green’, ‘No. 117’ and ‘Celica’. Fruit were tagged at the flowering stage and picked weekly during 9 weeks of growth, until fully ripe. Visible and near-infrared (VIS–NIR) spectra in the range 477–950nm were obtained in reflectance mode from intact peppers with a USB2000 mini-spectrometer. Short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectra in the range 850–1888nm were obtained in reflectance mode from the same sampled peppers with a Liga Spectrometer. Fruit flesh samples were cut from the area scanned for spectral measurements, and destructively analyzed for ascorbic acid content. The highest ascorbic acid content was measured in the green variety ‘Ever Green’ (148.1mg per 100g). Varieties ‘Ever Green’ and ‘No. 117’ accumulated significantly higher concentrations of ascorbic acid than ‘Celica’, and consistent and significant differences were found between the premature, green and mature stages of all three cultivars. Partial Least-Squares (PLS) regression was used in spectral model development. Comparisons were made between the PLS regression analysis of the reflectance spectra (R), its first derivative (D1R), the log(1/R) and its first (D1log(1/R)) and second derivative (D2log(1/R)). VIS–NIR and SWIR spectroscopy measurements showed good correlation (r2=0.76) with changes in ascorbic acid content. The PLS regression models were able to predict ascorbic acid content for all three cultivars, with 15.1–18.9mg per 100g cross-validation error (RPD=2–2.4). The method offers potential for non-destructive detection of changes in ascorbic acid content during growth and maturation of intact bell peppers.

Utilization of inoculum of AM fungi produced on-farm for the production of Capsicum annuum: A summary of seven years of field trials on a conventional vegetable farm

Utilization of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus inoculum has been encouraged as a way for vegetable farmers to better utilize the AM symbiosis. On-farm systems can economically produce inoculum that has been shown to increase the yield of specific crops. Seven years of field studies were conducted with five or six cultivars of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) each year to transfer the on-farm inoculum production and utilization system to a conventional vegetable farm with high soil available P, typical of the mid-Atlantic region of the US (159 mg kg− 1 soil). Seedlings were inoculated in the greenhouse with a mixed species inoculum of AM fungi produced on that farm. Performance of the inoculation treatment was evaluated based on growth response in the greenhouse and fruit production in the field. Colonization levels were typically only 3% of root length at the time of outplanting. Growth response in the greenhouse and yield response in the field varied by cultivar and the two measures were typically inversely proportional. Overall, mean fruit yield was not significantly different between inoculated and uninoculated plants; however, cv. Boynton Bell exhibited a significant positive response to inoculation (9.1 ± 2.4%) over the years. The results of this seven-year study illustrate the reliability of the on-farm method of AM fungus inoculum production; however, the lack of a significant yield response for most cultivars studied reflects the current debate surrounding the functional role of AM fungi in high P soils.

THE EFFECT OF COLORED SHADE NETS ON SWEET BELL PEPPER QUALITY AFTER PROLONGED STORAGE AND SHELF LIFE

ISHS XXVIII International Horticultural Congress on Science and Horticulture for People (IHC2010): International Symposium on Greenhouse 2010 and Soilless Cultivation THE EFFECT OF COLORED SHADE NETS ON SWEET BELL PEPPER QUALITY AFTER PROLONGED STORAGE AND SHELF LIFE

EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT NUTRIENT FORMULATIONS SUPPLIED AT DIFFERENT CROP GROWTH STAGES ON YIELD IN BELL PEPPER (CAPSICUM ANNUUM L.) PLANTS GROWN IN STONEWOOL

Effects of fertigation with different pre-mixed fertilizers on growth, yield, leaf chlorophyll content and photosynthesis of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivar ‘California Wonder’ plants grown hydroponically in stonewool were investigated. Three different pre-mixed fertilizer formulations (Scotts Peters Professional water soluble fertilizer) were used: 20-20-20; 20-10-20; and 21-07-21 to provide NPK concentrations of (F1) 126-55-106; (F2) 256-55-214; and (F3) 385-55-321 mg/L respectively. P concentration (55 mg/L) and the ratio of N:K concentrations (1.2:1.0) were kept constant whilst N and K concentration trebled from F1 to F3. Fertigation regimes were applied according to plant physiological stage: (S1) vegetative stage, (S2) flowering stage, and (S3) fruiting stage. The experiment comprised of seven treatments replicated three times in a completely randomised design. Water and fertilizer solution was supplied automatically to the roots with five irrigation schedules per day (8:00; 10:00; 12:00; 14:00 and 16:00 h) and given similar volumes of nutrient solutions per irrigation event in each stage (6 min (S1), 8 min (S2) and 10 min (S3) daily. This study showed that fertigation with N and K gradually increasing from 126-106 to 265-214 and finally 385-321 mg/L (treatment 1) increased fruit yield of bell pepper significantly by 8% over the control. Higher yield in treatment 1 was associated with the higher leaf area, total dry matter production, number of fruits per plant and higher fertilizer-use efficiency.

Bell pepper endornavirus: molecular and biological properties, and occurrence in the genus Capsicum

Bell peppers (Capsicum annuum) harbour a large dsRNA virus. The linear genome (14.7 kbp) of two isolates from Japanese and USA bell pepper cultivars were completely sequenced and compared. They shared extensive sequence identity and contained a single, long ORF encoding a 4815 aa protein. This polyprotein contained conserved motifs of putative viral methyltransferase (MTR), helicase 1 (Hel-1), UDP-glycosyltransferase and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. This unique arrangement of conserved domains has not been reported in any of the known endornaviruses. Hence this virus, for which the name Bell pepper endornavirus (BPEV) is proposed, is a distinct species in the genus Endornavirus (family Endornaviridae). The BPEV-encoded polyprotein contains a cysteine-rich region between the MTR and Hel-1 domains, with conserved CXCC motifs shared among several endornaviruses, suggesting an additional functional domain. In agreement with general endornavirus features, BPEV contains a nick in the positive-strand RNA molecule. The virus was detected in all bell pepper cultivars tested and transmitted through seed but not by graft inoculations. Analysis of dsRNA patterns and RT-PCR using degenerate primers revealed putative variants of BPEV, or closely related species, infecting other C. annuum genotypes and three other Capsicum species (C. baccatum, C. chinense and C. frutescens).

Evaluation of Six Nitrogen Fertility Programs on Marketable Yield and Development of Skin Separation in Bell Pepper Fruit

In this study, the effects of six nitrogen fertility programs and two bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) cultivars were evaluated for marketable yield and incidence of skin separation in fruit. In 2006 and 2007, bell pepper cultivar Aristotle, which is tolerant to the crown rot phase of phytophthora blight (Phytophthora capsici), and a susceptible cultivar, Camelot, were established in a split-plot design with cultivar as the whole-plot factor and fertilizer regime as the subplot factor. Each year, fertility treatments included 1) 180 lb/acre of soluble nitrogen (N) plus phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) as 20N–8.7P–16.6K, 2) 300 lb/acre of soluble N (4N–0P–6.6K), 3) 180 lb/acre of soluble N (30N–0P–0K), 4) 135 lb/acre of soluble N (30N–0P–0K), 5) 180 lb/acre of granular N (43N–0P–0K), and 6) 135 lb/acre of granular N (43N–0P–0K). Soluble fertilizer treatments 1–4 were applied weekly through drip irrigation during the production season. Granular fertility treatments 5 and 6 were applied after bed making but before laying black plastic mulch each year. Additionally, all plots received 180 lb/acre each of P and K (0N–2.6P–4.9K) plus 2 lb/acre of boron distributed season-long in weekly fertilizer applications. In 2006 and 2007, cultivar had no effect on marketable yield or percent marketable fruit. In 2007, the percentage of harvested fruit with skin separation was significantly higher in fertility programs 1 and 2 compared with program 5. In 2006 and 2007, there were no significant interactions between cultivar and fertility program for marketable yield per plot, fruit with skin separation, percent marketable fruit, or marketable yield per acre. In both years, harvest date has a significant effect on marketable yield per plot, fruit with skin separation, percent marketable fruit, and marketable yield per acre. The percentage of harvested fruit with skin separation was higher in phytophthora-tolerant ‘Aristotle’ compared with phytophthora-susceptible ‘Camelot’ in 2006 and 2007. Results of this study suggest that the development of skin separation in bell pepper fruit is more influenced by genotype than N fertility program.