Pepper Injury Research Articles

Selenium supplementation mitigates boron toxicity induced growth inhibition and oxidative damage in pepper plants

Selenium (Se) supplementation has been shown to attenuate the detrimental effects of abiotic stress conditions, such as salinity and drought on plant growth and development. However, little is known about Se-related responses in plants exposed to boron (B) toxicity. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of Se supplementation on growth, B content, photosynthetic pigment concentrations, compatible solutes content, oxidative damage, and antioxidant capacity in pepper plants grown under low and high B stress. In order to achieve this objective, 26 day-old pepper plants were treated with different concentrations of boric acid (2 and 4 mM) and/or sodium selenate (10 and 20 µM) for 14 days. Our results show that both low and high B stress cause growth inhibition and oxidative injury in pepper. Furthermore, B stress resulted in significant increases in APX, POD, and SOD activities as well as in proline, reducing sugar, and total sugar contents at both levels. Lastly, a marked decrease was observed in photosynthetic pigment and total flavonoid contents in pepper leaves subjected to B toxicity. Se application at 10 µM alleviated low B stress-induced growth inhibition and lipid peroxidation by decreasing B accumulation and enhancing chlorophyll content in pepper. In addition, Se supplementation decreased the accumulation of soluble sugar and proline in B-treated pepper leaves. In conclusion, our findings reveal that Se application is protective against the adverse effects of B toxicity on growth and oxidative metabolism in pepper.

Can Edible Coatings Maintain Sweet Pepper Quality after Prolonged Storage at Sub-Optimal Temperatures?

This work evaluated the efficacies of different coatings: chitosan, gelatin and chitosan-gelatin applied layer-by-layer (LbL); for maintaining the quality of sweet peppers that were stored for 3 weeks at a sub-optimal temperature (1.5 °C) and at an optimal storage temperature (7 °C). After the cold-storage period, fruits were kept under marketing conditions (21 °C) for 3 more days. An edible chitosan coating (2%) effectively alleviated chilling injury and the incidence of decay, and also preserved the nutritional quality of sweet peppers that were kept for 3 weeks at 1.5 °C plus 3 more days at 21 °C. The chitosan coating was more effective than the two other coatings. All three coating treatments significantly reduced external CO2 production, as compared to uncoated control fruit. Storage temperatures did not significantly affect external CO2 production, although CO2 production was slightly higher at 1.5 °C. The chitosan coating exhibited good CO2 gas permeability properties and the peppers coated with that material had lower respiration rates than those in the other two experimental treatments or the control. From a practical point of view, chitosan coating could replace the plastic bags previously found to alleviate chilling injury in peppers that are stored at 1.5 °C as a quarantine treatment.

Seed browning in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) fruit during cold storage is inhibited by methyl jasmonate or induced by methyl salicylate

• Seed browning is a major chilling injury symptom in cold-stored pepper. • Seed browning was reduced by MeJA but induced by MeSA. • MeJA could inhibit seed browning by activating the JA signalling pathway. • MeJA could inhibit seed browning by increasing glutamate and galactinol content. Chilling injury in pepper ( Capsicum annuum L.) fruit during cold storage and market distribution results in quality loss. In the present study, seed browning, a major chilling injury symptom, was observed in pepper fruit stored at 2 °C, but not at 13 °C. To alleviate this symptom, we applied vapour treatments of 50 μM methyl jasmonate (MeJA) or 250 μM methyl salicylate (MeSA), or a combination of both, and investigated the effect of treatments on seed browning in pepper fruit during cold storage. When treated with 50 μM MeJA, seed browning was highly inhibited and endogenous jasmonic acid (JA) production was increased via earlier activation of JA synthesis-related genes. However, MeSA treatment induced more severe and faster seed browning than the other treatments by decreasing endogenous JA content and by increasing salicylic acid (SA) content. The content of glutamate, sucrose, and galactinol, which are well-known antioxidant metabolites against chilling stress, was higher in MeJA-treated pepper fruit than in MeSA-treated pepper fruit, suggesting the role of MeJA in reducing chilling injury. In conclusion, JA may play an important role in reducing low temperature-induced seed browning in pepper fruit and SA seems to be involved in inducing chilling sensitivity in pepper fruit.

Tolerance of Bell Pepper to Herbicides Applied through a Drip Irrigation System

Drip irrigation is installed under polyethylene mulch to supply irrigation and nutrients to vegetables grown in plasticulture. This irrigation system also provides an alternative method for application of herbicides into the plant bed for control of yellow and purple nutsedge. Greenhouse and field studies were conducted to determine bell pepper tolerance to halosulfuron, imazosulfuron, and trifloxysulfuron applied POST (over the top of pepper in greenhouse study, POST-directed in the field study) or soil applied (applied by hand with water in greenhouse study or through drip irrigation in the field study). In greenhouse studies, pepper injury from halosulfuron, imazosulfuron, and trifloxysulfuron applied POST was similar at 14 and 21 d after treatment (DAT; 21 to 35% and 54 to 60%, respectively). Halosulfuron, imazosulfuron, and trifloxysulfuron soil applied in greenhouse studies caused 6 to 8% and 13 to 20% injury to pepper at 14 and 21 DAT, respectively. Pepper injury in greenhouse studies increased as rate of halosulfuron, imazosulfuron, and trifloxysulfuron increased regardless of application method (soil or POST applied). Dry pepper weight at 28 DAT followed an inverse linear response to increasing rates of halosulfuron, imazosulfuron, and trifloxysulfuron. In field studies, bell pepper height among herbicide treatments ranged from 32 to 37 cm at 14 DAT and was not different from the nontreated check (36 cm). Number one grade (7.8 to 14.7 MT ha−1) and fancy grade (2.1 to 2.8 MT ha−1) pepper fruit yield was not different in herbicide-treated pepper compared with yield of pepper in the nontreated check (10.0 to 26.6 MT ha−1, respectively). Based on these studies, pepper has excellent crop tolerance to halosulfuron, imazosulfuron, and trifloxysulfuron applied through drip irrigation or POST-directed but is not tolerant to POST applications.

Effect of Glyphosate and Dicamba Drift Timing and Rates in Bell Pepper and Yellow Squash

As dicamba resistance traits become more common in agronomic crops, the potential for off-site movement also increases. Little is known of how common vegetable crops will respond to dicamba drift. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dicamba and glyphosate drift on bell pepper and squash growth as a function of application timing. The treatments were arranged in a factorial design with two timings by three rates and a nontreated check. The two timings were early bloom and midbloom (during bloom when fruit were present). The three rates were glyphosate at 21 + dicamba at 14 g ha−1, glyphosate at 10 + dicamba at 7 g ha−1, and glyphosate at 7 + dicamba 5 at g ha−1. Herbicides were applied with a controlled droplet applicator calibrated to deliver 2.34 L ha−1. In squash, crop injury was 26 to 31% at 3 DAT and 48 to 65% at 17 DAT. However, no differences were measured among application timings or rates for fruit weight or number at individual harvest or season total. Bell pepper injury ranged between 0 and 8% from 3 to 17 DAT and was not significantly different than the nontreated. However, large, Fancy, marketable, and total bell pepper fruit number were greater in the nontreated than glyphosate at 21 + dicamba 14 at g ha−1and glyphosate at 10 + dicamba at 7 g ha−1both years. The three rates of dicamba + glyphosate had a greater number and weight of cull fruit compared to the number of fruit in the nontreated plots. The cull fruit were shorter with a flattened appearance. Leaving bell pepper fruit on the plants longer may result in small and medium fruit becoming large or Fancy grade bell pepper fruit.

Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum) Tolerance to Imazosulfuron and Thifensulfuron-Methyl

Greenhouse and field studies were conducted to evaluate bell pepper tolerance to the sulfonylurea herbicides imazosulfuron and thifensulfuron-methyl. Imazosulfuron was applied at 56, 112, 224, 336, or 448 g ai ha−1. Thifensulfuron-methyl was applied at 2.6, 5.3, 10.5, 21.0, or 31.6 g ai ha−1. In the greenhouse over 2 yr, bell pepper injury due to imazosulfuron POST ranged from 12 to 27%. Reductions in plant height and numbers of nodes, buds, flowers, and fruits were generally minor or not observed. Injury from thifensulfuron-methyl POST ranged from 40 to 60% in the greenhouse. Similar trends were observed for leaf chlorosis and distortion. Thifensulfuron-methyl tended to decrease numbers of buds, flowers, and fruits in the greenhouse. In the field at three sites, bell pepper injury due to imazosulfuron applied POST-directed (POST-DIR) was less than 10% at all rating times, and height and yield were not affected. Total and marketable yield averaged 40,300 and 35,810 kg ha−1, respectively, across environments and years. Bell pepper injury from thifensulfuron-methyl applied POST-DIR in the field was less than 20% with all rates and less than 10% when rates less than 10.6 g ai ha−1 thifensulfuron-methyl were applied. Bell pepper stand (plants ha−1) or height was not affected by thifensulfuron-methyl. Thifensulfuron-methyl did not affect total bell pepper yield (39,310 kg ha−1 averaged across environments); however, reductions in Fancy grade yield were observed. No. 1 and cull yield grades tended to increase with increasing thifensulfuron-methyl rate, apparently compensating for lost Fancy yield.

Herbicidal Performance of Phenyl Isothiocyanate in Polyethylene-Mulched Bell Pepper

Methyl bromide is a common fumigant for effective weed control in polyethylene-mulched vegetable crops. However, the ban on methyl bromide in the United States has created a need to find a suitable alternative. This study investigated the herbicidal efficacy of phenyl isothiocyanate (ITC) as a methyl bromide alternative for weed control in polyethylene-mulched bell pepper during 2006 and 2007. Six rates of phenyl ITC (0, 15, 75, 150, 750, 1,500 kg ha−1) under low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or virtually impermeable film (VIF) mulch were tested against yellow nutsedge, Palmer amaranth, and large crabgrass. Additionally, a standard treatment of methyl bromide/chloropicrin (67 : 33%) at 390 kg ha−1under LDPE mulch was included for comparison. VIF mulch provided no advantage over LDPE mulch in either improving weed control or marketable yield in bell pepper. Unacceptable pepper injury (≥ 60%) occurred at the highest phenyl ITC rate of 1,500 kg ha−1at 2 WATP in both years, regardless of mulch type. Higher bell pepper injury was observed in 2006 (≥ 36%) than in 2007 (≤ 11%) at 750 kg ha−1of phenyl ITC. The lower injury in 2007 could be attributed to aeration of beds 48 h prior to transplanting. Regardless of mulch type, phenyl ITC at 2,071 (± 197) and 1,655 (± 309) kg ha−1was required to control yellow nutsedge, Palmer amaranth, and large crabgrass equivalent to methyl bromide in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Bell pepper marketable yield at all rates of phenyl ITC was lower than methyl bromide in 2006. In contrast, marketable yield in phenyl ITC at 750–kg ha−1was equivalent to methyl bromide in 2007. It is concluded that phenyl ITC should be applied at least 4.2 times higher rate than methyl bromide for effective weed control, and bed aeration is required to minimize crop injury and yield loss. Additional research is needed to test phenyl ITC in combination with other weed control strategies to obtain effective weed control with acceptable crop safety.

Allyl Isothiocyanate: A Methyl Bromide Replacement in Polyethylene-Mulched Bell Pepper

Methyl bromide has been a key fumigant for broad-spectrum weed control in polyethylene-mulched bell pepper. However, the ozone-depleting nature of methyl bromide has led to its scheduled phaseout from U.S. agriculture. Thus, an effective alternative to methyl bromide is needed. Field trials were conducted in 2007 and 2009 to evaluate the crop response and weed control efficacy of allyl isothiocyanate (ITC) in polyethylene-mulched bell pepper. The experiment included various combinations of two mulch types (low density polyethylene [LDPE] and virtually impermeable film [VIF] mulch) and six rates of allyl isothiocyanate (0, 15, 75, 150, 750, 1,500 kg ha−1). Additionally, a standard treatment of methyl bromide/chloropicrin (67 : 33%) at 390 kg ha−1 under LDPE mulch was included for comparison. Bell pepper injury was < 3% in all treatments, except 11% injury at 1,500 kg ha−1 allyl isothiocyanate under VIF mulch at 2 wk after transplanting (WATP). VIF mulch did not provide additional weed control and marketable pepper yield over LDPE mulch. Allyl isothiocyanate at 932 (± 127) kg ha−1 controlled yellow nutsedge (90%), Palmer amaranth (97%), and large crabgrass (92%) through 6 WATP and maintained the marketable yield equivalent to methyl bromide treatment. This research demonstrates that allyl ITC under an LDPE mulch can serve as a potential alternative to methyl bromide for weed control in polyethylene-mulched bell pepper.

SEEKING A ROBUST STRATEGY TO USE CHLOROPHYLL FLUORESCENCE TO ASSESS PHYSIOLOGICAL DAMAGE OF FRESH PRODUCE

Chlorophyll fluorescence has been tested by many researchers as a non-invasive method to assess physiological damage in chlorophyll containing fruits and vegetables. The characteristic Fv/Fm is most commonly considered. One draw-back of this method is that the fluorescence signal is affected primarily by the state of photosystem II, which is one of the components most sensitive to stresses, including heat, chilling and oxidative stress, so that the Fv/Fm may be more sensitive than the overall tissue. A more reliable strategy may be to look at the ability of the tissues to resynthesise photosystem II after damage, by looking at the rate of Fv/Fm recovery. This strategy shows promising results in predicting chilling injury in peppers and cucumbers, and heat stress in asparagus. Trials are also reported that attempt to predict low temperature injury in apples, but the results are not definitive.

Antioxidizing Enzyme Activities in Chilling-sensitive and Chilling-tolerant Pepper Fruit as Affected by Stage of Ripeness and Storage Temperature

To study ripening-related chilling injury in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), chilling-tolerant ‘Buchon’ and chilling-sensitive ‘Nockgwang’ fruit were harvested at mature green (MG), breaker (BR), and red-ripe (RR) stages and stored at 1, 5, and 10 °C for 21 d. ‘Buchon’ did not show surface pitting (SP) regardless of ripeness stage and storage temperature, whereas ‘Nockgwang’ at MG and BR exhibited SP at 1 and 5 °C. After 14 days of storage at 1 °C, chilling-sensitive ‘Nockgwang’ did not show SP when fruit were at the RR stage. Compared with ‘Buchon’, ‘Nockgwang’ at MG and BR had more electrolyte leakage increase during storage at 1 and 5 °C. ‘Buchon’ at all ripeness stages showed significantly higher ethylene production during storage regardless of storage temperatures. Contents of β-carotene and lycopene increased in both cultivars as ripening progressed. The contents of β-carotene and lycopene were similar between the two cultivars regardless of storage temperatures and ripeness stages. Susceptibility of pepper fruit to chilling appeared to be related to superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Activities of SOD and CAT were much higher in ‘Buchon’ than ‘Nockgwang’, more apparently at MG and BR. The results suggest that chilling-tolerant ‘Buchon’ and fruit at RR could have been equipped with a more efficient antioxidizing system, even if it was not clear whether oxidative stress is a cause or an effect of the CI in pepper.

Cover Crop and Herbicide Combinations for Weed Control in Polyethylene-mulched Bell Pepper

Field trials were conducted in 2006 and 2007 to evaluate the performance of ‘Caliente’ mustard cover crop and herbicide combinations for weed control in polyethylene-mulched bell pepper (Capsicum annuum). ‘Caliente’ mustard is a blend of brown mustard (Brassica juncea) and white mustard (Sinapis alba). Herbicide treatments included 1/2× and 1× rates of two pre-emergence (PRE) and two postdirected (PD) herbicides. PRE herbicides were applied 1 week before transplanting, whereas PD herbicides were applied at 4 to 5 weeks after transplanting. ‘Caliente’ mustard did not supplement weed control or improve bell pepper yield in herbicide-treated plots. There was a significant herbicide selection by application rate interaction for large crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis) control and bell pepper yield, but only the main effect of herbicide selection and application rate affected the control of purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus), yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus), and palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri). Bell pepper injury was not more than 9% from all herbicides and application rates. Except for large crabgrass, control of all weed species improved by increasing the application rate from 1/2× to 1×. S-metolachlor PRE provided more broad-spectrum weed control than other herbicides. Halosulfuron applied PRE or PD was selective to purple nutsedge and yellow nutsedge, whereas trifloxysulfuron performed better than halosulfuron on palmer amaranth and large crabgrass. Plots treated with the 1× rate of S-metolachlor or trifloxysulfuron produced the highest marketable bell pepper yield among the herbicide treatments, but no herbicide treatment allowed for marketable yield equivalent to the weed-free treatment.

Cover Crop and Herbicide Combinations for Weed Control in Polyethylene-mulched Bell Pepper

Field trials were conducted in 2006 and 2007 to evaluate the performance of ‘Caliente’ mustard cover crop and herbicide combinations for weed control in polyethylene-mulched bell pepper (Capsicum annuum). ‘Caliente’ mustard is a blend of brown mustard (Brassica juncea) and white mustard (Sinapis alba). Herbicide treatments included 1/2× and 1× rates of two pre-emergence (PRE) and two postdirected (PD) herbicides. PRE herbicides were applied 1 week before transplanting, whereas PD herbicides were applied at 4 to 5 weeks after transplanting. ‘Caliente’ mustard did not supplement weed control or improve bell pepper yield in herbicide-treated plots. There was a significant herbicide selection by application rate interaction for large crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis) control and bell pepper yield, but only the main effect of herbicide selection and application rate affected the control of purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus), yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus), and palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri). Bell pepper injury was not more than 9% from all herbicides and application rates. Except for large crabgrass, control of all weed species improved by increasing the application rate from 1/2× to 1×. S-metolachlor PRE provided more broad-spectrum weed control than other herbicides. Halosulfuron applied PRE or PD was selective to purple nutsedge and yellow nutsedge, whereas trifloxysulfuron performed better than halosulfuron on palmer amaranth and large crabgrass. Plots treated with the 1× rate of S-metolachlor or trifloxysulfuron produced the highest marketable bell pepper yield among the herbicide treatments, but no herbicide treatment allowed for marketable yield equivalent to the weed-free treatment.

Purple Nutsedge (Cyperus Rotundus) Management in Direct-seeded Chile Pepper Using Halosulfuron and Cultivation

Field research was conducted in southern New Mexico to determine the effect of halosulfuron rate, timing of application, and adjuvant on purple nutsedge suppression and chile pepper injury under cultivated conditions. POST-directed treatments of 36 or 53 g ai/ha were applied 2 or 4 wk after thinning direct-seeded chile pepper. Herbicide treatments included a nonionic surfactant or methylated seed oil plus ammonium sulfate plus polyacrylamide polymer. Herbicide rate, adjuvant, and timing of the application had little effect on overall nutsedge suppression; however, herbicide treatment proved to be an important component for managing purple nutsedge in this experiment. Yields were higher with halosulfuron treatment compared with the weedy control. Whereas halosulfuron treatment with 53 g/ha increased chile yield relative to the weedy control, injury and yield results comparing 36 and 53 g/ha rates consistently suggested that halosulfuron should be applied at rates ≤ 36 g/ha in a single application to avoid possible injury. Halosulfuron treatment combined with cultivation and effective crop rotation may reduce the impact of purple nutsedge interference in chile pepper.Nomenclature: Halosulfuron, purple nutsedge, Cyperus rotundus L. CYPRO, chile pepper, Capsicum annuum L. ‘Sandia’

Southern Root-Knot Nematode Effect on Purple Nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) and Chile Pepper Response to Halosulfuron1

Greenhouse experiments were conducted in the summer of 2002 to determine the effect of root-knot nematodes on purple nutsedge suppression and chile pepper response after applications of halosulfuron. Purple nutsedge and chile pepper plants were grown together in 20-cm-diam pots, inoculated with root-knot nematodes, and treated with halosulfuron 2 or 4 wk after inoculation. Root-knot nematode infection had no effect on purple nutsedge control or chile pepper injury after treatment with halosulfuron, regardless of application timing. However, root-knot nematode reproduction was lower in pots that received a halosulfuron treatment, particularly halosulfuron applied 2 wk after inoculation. Controlling purple nutsedge using halosulfuron in a field infested with root-knot nematodes could also decrease the amount of nematode inoculum that is available for infecting chile plants later in the season.Nomenclature: Halosulfuron; purple nutsedge, Cyperus rotundus L. #3 CYPRO; chile pepper, Capsicum annuum L. ‘Joe E. Parker’; southern root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood, host race 3.Additional index words: Pest interactions, ALS herbicide, Capsicum annuum, CYPRO.Abbreviations: GH1, first greenhouse experiment; GH2, second greenhouse experiment; GH3, third greenhouse experiment.

UV-C treatments reduce decay, retain quality and alleviate chilling injury in pepper

Abstract Peppers ( Capsicum annum L. cv. Zafiro), having 90% red color, were treated with UV-C light (7 kJ m −2 ) and stored at 10 °C for 18 days. The UV-C treatment reduced decay. UV-C-treated peppers also kept firmer and presented lower carotenoid content and superficial color than control fruit. The treatments did not produce changes in fruit sugar content. After 18 days of storage at 10 °C non-treated fruit showed a reduction in pH, suggesting higher damage and tissue disruption. To evaluate the effect of UV-C on chilling injury, fruit were UV-C-treated and stored for 15 and 22 days at 0 °C plus 4 days at 20 °C. UV-C treatments reduced chilling injury incidence and severity. UV-C-treated fruit also presented lower electrolyte leakage, respiration rate, and phenolic compound content suggesting lower damage in response to low temperature storage. Results suggest that the UV-C treatments could be a useful way of reducing decay and maintaining bell pepper fruit quality. Furthermore, chilling injury incidence and severity could be reduced by short UV-C treatments.

Correlation of Increased Alternative Oxidase Gene Expression With Reduced Chilling Injury in Cold-stored Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum)

Methyl salicylate (MeSA) and Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatments increased chilling resistance of light red tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Beefsteak) and extended shelf life and fresh-cut quality. We previously showed induction of AOX expression by low temperature and that induction of AOX transcript by MeSA and MeJA is correlated with resistance against chilling injury in peppers. Here, we investigate tomato, which is genetically closely related to peppers and belongs to the same Solanaceae family. In particular, we used four EST tomato clones of AOX from the public database that belong to two distinctly related families, 1 and 2 defined in plants. Three clones designated as LeAOX1a, 1b and 1c and the fourth clone as LeAOX2. Probes for these four genes were designed and Southern blotting done to confirm that they do not cross-hybridize. We will present data from Southern, Northern hybridization and RT-PCR to show: (1) gene copy number of each of these AOX members in the tomato genome; (2) gene-specific expression profiles in response to MeSA and MeJA in cold stored tomato; and (3) the relative transcript abundance of these four AOX genes.

Tolerance of Direct-Seeded Paprika Pepper (Capsicum annuum) to Clomazone Applied Preemergence1

Field experiments were conducted from 1997 to 1999 at Ejea and at Valdegon (Spain) to study weed control and tolerance of direct-seeded pepper ‘Agridulce SIA’ to clomazone alone or with linuron, napropamide, or pendimethalin. The main weeds at Ejea were redroot pigweed, Diplotaxis erucoides, common purslane, and ivyleaf speedwell, while at Valdegon they were Solanum physalifolium and common purslane. Pepper was tolerant to clomazone applied at 0.18 kg ai/ha, but weed control was less than 77%. Increasing the rate of clomazone to 0.36 kg/ha controlled weeds at least 85% and did not injure pepper. Clomazone at 0.54 and 0.72 kg/ha injured pepper 6 wk after planting (WAP), but plants recovered and the dry weight and yield of paprika were not affected. Napropamide at 2.03 kg ai/ha applied with clomazone improved the control of D. erucoides. Addition of pendimethalin at 0.17 to 0.25 kg ai/ha to clomazone did not improve weed control and increased pepper injury 6 WAP in 1 of 2 yr, but yield was not affected. Linuron at rates ranging from 0.08 to 0.13 kg ai/ha used in combination with clomazone provided complete weed control but injured pepper the most (34 to 88%) and reduced pepper stand by 50% in 1 yr.Nomenclature: Clomazone; linuron; napropamide; pendimethalin; common purslane, Portulaca oleracea L. #3 POROL; Diplotaxis erucoides (L.) DC.; ivyleaf speedwell, Veronica hederifolia L. # VERHE; redroot pigweed, Amaranthus retroflexus L. # AMARE; Solanum physalifolium Rusby; paprika pepper, Capsicum annuum L., ‘Agridulce SIA’.Additional index words: Weed control, Convolvulus arvensis, CONAR.Abbreviations: PRE, preemergence; WAP, weeks after planting.

Effect of Herbicides on Pepper (Capsicum annuum) Stand Establishment and Yield from Transplants Produced Using Various Irrigation Systems1

Abstract: Studies were conducted in 1996 and 1997 to determine the effect of irrigation systems used to produce transplants on subsequent tolerance of banana and bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) transplants to field-applied herbicides. The irrigation systems were overhead (OH), ebb and flood (EF), and float (F). At 2 and 4 wk, banana and bell pepper injury was greatest from clomazone (1.1 kg/ha) treatments. Banana and bell pepper yield were not influenced by herbicide treatment. Although crop injury was greater in 1997, there was no herbicide or irrigation system interaction with year. OH and EF irrigated banana pepper and OH irrigated bell pepper produced the greatest total yield over two harvests, whereas F irrigated pepper yielded the least. F irrigated bell pepper plants had reduced early total yield and fancy fruits relative to other irrigation treatments. F irrigated plants yielded 32 and 22% less than OH irrigated plants in banana and bell pepper, respectively. Stand counts at 3 wk after planting (WAP...

水耕栽培でのキレート鉄施用によるトウガラシの生理障害の発現

水耕栽培でのキレート鉄施用によるトウガラシの生理障害の発現

Interaction Between Spray Distribution and Systemic Activity of Insecticides for Control of European Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Peppers and Snap Beans

Interactions between spray distribution and insecticide mode of action in relation to control of European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), on bell peppers ( Capsicum annuum L.), sweet banana peppers ( Capsicum annuum L.), and snap beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were investigated. Multiple treatments were applied using either a conventional boom sprayer or an air-curtain sprayer. Materials evaluated were fenvalerate (local activity) and acephate (systemic activity). Spray droplet distribution was evaluated with UV-spectrophotometric analysis of sprayed dyes. European corn borer egg massey were sampled weekly during the experiment, and crop injury was evaluated at harvest. Spray deposition with the air-curtain sprayer was much higher on the undersides of the leaves and on fruit than with the conventional boom application. Variability of spray deposition between samples also was reduced. Faceplate and fenvalerate significantly reduced banana pepper and bell pepper injury from European corn borer. However, significant reductions in injury due to air-curtain application occurred only with fenvalerate on bell peppers. Systemic activity of the acephate compensated, at least partially, for poor spray distribution with the conventional boom application. Virtually no injury occurred to the snap beans even in artificially infested, untreated plots. Total mortality caused by glandular trichomes was observed when larvae were introduced onto snap bean plants in the laboratory.