Pepper Production Research Articles

INPUT AND OUTPUT LEVELS OF IRRIGATION PROGRAMMES FOR VEGETABLE PRODUCERS MANAGED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND FARMERS IN NORTH WEST NIGERIA

This study examined the level of vegetable production and estimate their production efficiency in North West Nigeria. In order to achieve this, a sample size of 360 vegetable farmers from Jigawa (110), Kano (137) and Katsina (113) States were randomly selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. The data were collected using structured questionnaires and interview scheduled. The tools of analysis include descriptive statistics and Cobb-Douglas stochastic frontier production model. The results of the production efficiency analysis showed that seed and labour significantly influenced the level of production of tomato, pepper and onion at 1% level of probability. There was also a strong correlation between the level of production and the type of irrigation scheme thereby confirming the variability in the level of vegetable production across government managed irrigation scheme (GMIS) and farmers managed irrigation scheme (FMIS). The significant deviation from the expected maximum level of production efficiency was impacted by the presence of technical inefficiency which in turn was determined by a number of factors On average, farmers under GMIS and FMIS were 64% and 67% technically efficient in tomato production, 81% and 69% technically efficient in pepper farming and 69% and 78% technically efficient in onion cultivation, respectively. The most important determinants of allocative inefficiency in vegetable production were the age of the household head, farming experience, type of irrigation scheme and the soil properties. On average, vegetable farmers under GMIS and FMIS were 85% and 65% allocative efficient in tomato production, 76% and 74% allocative efficient in pepper farming and 77% and 81% allocative efficient in onion cultivation, respectively. Consequently, it was derived that, on average, vegetable farmers under GMIS and FMIS were 55% and 50% economically efficient in tomato production, 64% and 50% economically efficient in pepper farming and 53% and 64% economically efficient in onion production, respectively. It was concluded that vegetable farming system under GMIS is more efficient and sustainable than FMIS, judging from efficiencies parameters. Inputs such as labour, seed and fertilizer were inelastic with respect to output, hence, farmers are encouraged to be train by extension agents in order to determine the most appropriate rate of inputs to use.

Fresh bell peppers consumed in cities: Unveiling the environmental impact of urban and rural food supply systems

Agriculture and its supply chain pose significant environmental threats. This study employs Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to explore the environmental impact of fresh bell pepper production and distribution, comparing Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture (UPA) with Rural Long-Distance Food Supply Systems (RLDFS). Four UPA scenarios (hydroponics, soil-based greenhouse, open-field conventional, and organic) and two RLDFS scenarios (soil-based greenhouse and open-field conventional) are evaluated using SimaPro, incorporating inputs from UPA practitioners and rural farmers. Results reveal an energy demand range of 0.011 to 5.5 kWh/kg eq., with urban greenhouses exhibiting the lowest consumption and hydroponics the highest due to lighting, ventilation, and irrigation. Hydroponics exhibits a global warming potential of 7.24 kg of CO2 eq·kg−1, with energy demand contributing over 95 %, surpassing other scenarios by 7–25 times, necessitating reduction for sustainability. RLDFS's environmental impact is dominated by transportation (over 70 %), meanwhile other UPA systems are influenced by irrigation, infrastructure, and fertilizers. Despite challenges, UPA-hydroponics proves to be 1.7 to 4.3 times more land-use-efficient than other scenarios, emphasizing its potential. The study highlights the need to address electricity usage in UPA-hydroponics for carbon footprint reduction. Despite challenges, hydroponics could contribute to sustainable food security, and RLDFS does not significantly lag in environmental performance compared to UPA other than Ozone layer depletion criteria attributed to fossil fuel usage in transportation. These insights offer valuable guidance for urban development and policy formulation, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and supporting policies for agronomic and supply chain sustainability.

Use and quantification of efficient microorganisms in the development and production of peppers (Capsicum spp.)

The societal pressure for more sustainable agricultural practices drives interest in organic farming, especially within family agriculture, although it has not yet reached the efficacy of traditional agriculture. Effective Microorganisms (EM) hold promise as supplements to organic fertilization, as they accelerate organic matter decomposition and enhance nutrient availability for plants. This study investigated the impact of two types of EM collected in Alegre and Barra de São Francisco, Espírito Santo State, on pepper cultivation, comparing them with commercial EM and standard organic fertilization. Parameters such as plant height, stem diameter, number and mass of fruits, and microbial composition were analyzed. The Alegre EM stood out, yielding better growth and production metrics. The Barra de São Francisco EM also had a positive impact, particularly on fresh aerial part mass and height. Microbiological analysis revealed differences in microbial communities among the EM. It is concluded that the use of EM in conjunction with organic fertilization can benefit pepper cultivation.

Trends in black pepper production in conventional and non-conventional regions of Karnataka

Trends in black pepper production in conventional and non-conventional regions of Karnataka

Pepper transplanting mechanisms and kinematic simulation analysis: A review

Pepper production plays a significant role in the global agricultural economy, yet traditional manual transplanting methods lead to labor intensity challenges, inconsistency, and time constraints. Transplanting mechanisms of pepper transplanters significantly affect the efficiency of the entire transplanting process. This study reviewed the available transplanters used in pepper seedling transplantation, transplanting mechanisms, and the kinematic simulation analysis. Pepper transplanters are categorized into manual, semi-automatic, and fully automatic types. Manual types include handheld and pulling types, while semi-automatic types involve manually seedling feeding with automatic planting such walking-behind, riding, and tractor-drawn models. Fully automatic transplanters synchronize seedling extracting, transfer to the conveyor, and continuous planting into the soil. Picking mechanism utilize pick-up pins, pushing action, and grippers, while planting mechanism is achieved through link-driven, wheel-driven, and rotary gear-driven hoppers. Recent advancements have emphasized 4- and 5-bar pick-up pin-type link-driven hoppers with 1 or 2 degrees of freedom for efficient seedling handling and planting. Kinematic simulation analysis emerges as a crucial tool used by engineers to better understand complex interactions, identify strengths and weaknesses in designs for the evaluation and optimization of mechanisms by modelling forces, motion, and system behavior. The transplanting mechanisms survey, the role of kinematic simulation, and key trends involved, such as increased automation, precision planting, and the integration of sensor technologies, could provide valuable information to farmers and manufacturers for identifying current gaps and improvement areas for enhancing innovation in pepper production.

Application of Rhizobacteria to Control Phytophthora capsici Disease Causes Stem Base Rot and Increase Growth of Pepper Seedlings In-Vivo

One of the obstacles to pepper production is the high intensity of plant disease attacks. One of them is stem rot disease caused by the fungus Phytophthora capsici. Therefore, appropriate technology is needed that can control disease and at the same time increase plant growth by using rhizobacteria which are environmentally friendly, and can produce growth hormones, dissolve phosphate, and fix nitrogen. This research aims to obtain rhizobacteria isolates that can control the pathogen P. capsici which causes root rot disease, while also being able to increase plant growth. This research was carried out at the Agronomy Laboratory of the Plantation Plant Cultivation Study Program, Samarinda State Agricultural Polytechnic. The research used a completely randomized design consisting of 4 treatments with 4 replications to obtain 16 experimental units. Variables observed included the latent period, disease incidence and severity, increase in plant height, number of leaves, and stem diameter. The resulting data was analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results of the analysis showing a real effect were followed by the Least Significant Difference test (BNT)α=0.05. The results of the research showed that the application of a combination of rhizobacteria was able to overcome stem rot disease and at the same time increased the growth of pepper plant seedlings. The combination of rhizobacteria isolates P01 + TA2 treatment can reduce the latent period of disease to 12.00 days compared to 5.50 days without rhizobacteria, the disease incidence rate is 6.25% with a severity level of 2.50%, lower than without treatment (control) at 37.50 % (disease incidence) and 47.50% (disease severity). Apart from that, the combination of rhizobacteria isolates P01 + TA2 was able to increase the growth of pepper plant seeds as shown by observing the increase in plant height, number of leaves, and stem diameter

Growth and Instability Analysis of Pepper with Reference to Production and Price

Black pepper, the most traded spice in the world is native to South India. Though Pepper is popularly known as black gold, it does not provide the value of gold to its cultivators because of several persisting problems. Market imperfections, illegal imports, ineffective implementation of minimum import duty, lack of institutional support etc are some of the problems faced by pepper growers. Production of pepper has become unremunerative due to depressed prices in the domestic and/or global markets coupled with increasing input costs. In this context, the study has focused on trends in area, production and yield of pepper, the seasonal effect of price and also the impact of the production of pepper on its prices to diagnose reasons for price fluctuations. The main objective of the study is to examine trends in area, production and productivity in major pepper-producing states and monthly price variations of pepper in India. The study relies on time series data. The data on area, production, productivity and monthly average price of pepper have been collected from the Spices Board of India. To study the behaviour of prices of pepper in different months, a seasonal effect has been constructed. To study the interrelationship between the price of pepper with its production and different months, a correlation technique has been employed. Regression analysis is being undertaken to know the present and future price trends of pepper. The time-series analysis of the monthly average prices of pepper is attempted from 2018-19 to 2022-23. The study revealed that there is a strong positive correlation between the prices of pepper and different months. The regression coefficient reveals that month significantly contributes to the growth and instability in pepper prices in the market. The study also suggests that, if the government could provide enough institutional support to stabilise the market prices, the pepper growers would certainly consider their crop as black gold.

Effects of Mycorrhizal on The Growth and Yield of Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.)

Innovations are required to increase the production of cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutescens L), mainly due to the need for more quality land, such as dry land in Wamena. The innovation uses biological microorganisms that positively impact plants, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Therefore, this experiment aimed to determine the response of the growth and yield of cayenne pepper plants cultivated in dry land to the application of mycorrhiza. The research was conducted using a completely randomized design with one factor: the mycorrhizae dose (0, 20, 50, 80, and 120 g). The research results were analyzed using ANOVA, and the analysis process continued with the 5% level DMRT test. The research results on the growth of cayenne pepper are visible in the plant height parameters of the 80 g treatment (75 DAP: 93.4 cm) and the 120 g treatment (95 DAP: 103.3 cm). Then, the stem diameter parameter showed a real influence by the 120 g mycorrhiza treatment at 35 and 75 DAP and the 80 g mycorrhiza treatment at 95 DAP. The excellent response of plants to the 80 g and 120 g mycorrhiza treatments also impacted the plant's total chlorophyll content and the number of leaves produced, which then impacted the number of productive branches. So, the effect on the yield of cayenne pepper plants is that the number of fruits treated with 80 g of mycorrhiza was 89.7 fruits, with the weight of the heaviest cayenne pepper fruit being 68.0 g by the treatment of 120 g of mycorrhiza with a fresh weight of 17.6 g and a total dry plant of 10.2 g compared to the control. Keywords: Arbuscular mycorrhiza, Biofertilizers, fungi, marginal land, Wamena

Characterization of Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum Diversity and Screening Tomato, Pepper, and Eggplant Resistance to Manage Bacterial Wilt in South Asia

In South Asia, bacterial wilt pathogens in the Ralstonia solanacearum species complex (RSSC) impose major constraints on eggplant, tomato, and pepper production. To improve the efficacy of bacterial wilt management, the goals of this study were to (i) conduct a survey of RSSC pathogens in Bangladesh and Nepal, (ii) characterize the genetic diversity of these isolates, and (iii) screen 37 tomato, eggplant, and pepper accessions for resistance to six representative isolates from South Asia. We isolated 99 isolates from Bangladesh and 20 isolates from Nepal and determined that all are phylotype I isolates of the Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum species. We sequenced and assembled draft genomes for 25 isolates. Phylogenomic analyses suggest that there is a wide diversity of endemic phylotype I isolates in South Asia and possible introductions of two clonal phylotype I lineages into Bangladesh and Nepal. We contextualize our newly described isolates based on prior reports of RSSC diversity in South Asia and global reports of RSSC pathogens on eggplant and pepper. Greenhouse trials revealed multiple tomato, eggplant, and pepper accessions that exhibit promising levels of resistance to six phylotype I isolates from South Asia. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .

In silico analysis to understand genetic variability, phylogenetic and phylogeographic relationships between Phytophthora capsici isolates infecting various crops

Phytophthora capsici is a major oomycete-based pathogen causing enormous damage to the productivity of peppers and other major crops from different families worldwide by causing fruit rot, root rot and foliar blight diseases. This study utilized molecular signatures present within ITS1-5.8S rRNA-ITS2 and Ras-related GTP binding protein (Ypt1) genes to evaluate haplotype variability and phylogenetic relationships among P. capsici isolates with significant epidemiological implications. Twelve different evolutionary lineages specific to particular hosts and/or geographical regions and differed by SNPs, and 30 haplotypes with maximum diversity in India and Pakistan, were identified by sequence analysis of the ITS regions. It includes country-specific lineages Pc-I and Pc-II in India with multiple host ranges; capsicum-specific lineages Pc-IV, Pc-V and Pc-VIII from Pakistan; papaya-specific lineages Pc-VI from China, and watermelon-specific lineages Pc-VII and Pc-XI from USA. Many lineages showed cross-border infections, such as Pc-III and Pc-X in India and Pakistan, Cocoa-specific lineage Pc-IX in Brazil and Cote d’Ivoire, and Capsicum-specific multi-continental lineage Pc-XII. Similarly, 11 different SNP lineages and 32 haplotypes with maximum diversity in China were identified for the Ypt1 gene. These findings would be very useful for epidemiological surveillance of P. capsici strains worldwide, understanding population and evolutionary dynamics, developing lineage- and haplotype-specific diagnostic assays and disease-resistant varieties.

Integrative Transcriptome Analysis of mRNA and miRNA in Pepper's Response to Phytophthora capsici Infection.

Phytophthora blight of pepper is a notorious disease caused by the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora capsici, which poses a great threat to global pepper production. MicroRNA (miRNA) is a class of non-coding small RNAs that regulate gene expressions by altering the translation efficiency or stability of targeted mRNAs, which play important roles in the regulation of a plant's response to pathogens. Herein, time-series mRNA-seq libraries and small RNA-seq libraries were constructed using pepper roots from the resistant line CM334 and the susceptible line EC01 inoculated with P. capsici at 0, 6, 24, and 48 h post-inoculation, respectively. For mRNA-seq analysis, a total of 2159 and 2971 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in CM334 and EC01, respectively. For miRNA-seq analysis, 491 pepper miRNAs were identified, including 330 known miRNAs and 161 novel miRNAs. Among them, 69 and 88 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were identified in CM334 and EC01, respectively. Examination of DEMs and their targets revealed 22 regulatory networks, predominantly featuring up-regulated miRNAs corresponding to down-regulated target genes. Notably, these DEM-DEG regulatory networks exhibited significant overlap between CM334 and EC01, suggesting that they might contribute to pepper's basal defense against P. capsici. Furthermore, five selected DEMs (miR166, miR1171, miR395, miR530 and miRN2) and their target genes underwent qRT-PCR validation, confirming a consistent negative correlation in the expression patterns of miRNAs and their targets. This comprehensive analysis provides novel insights into the regulatory networks of miRNAs and their targets, offering valuable contributions to our understanding of pepper's defense mechanisms against P. capsici.

Molecular characterization and genetic analysis of Orthotospovirus tomatomaculae (tomato spotted wilt virus) and cucumber mosaic virus infecting tomato and pepper in Türkiye

Many viral diseases threaten the sustainable production of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and pepper (Capsicum annuum), which are among the most produced vegetables in the world and Türkiye. Eskişehir province of Türkiye produces a significant amount of vegetables both in the greenhouse and in the open-field. However, there have been no previous comprehensive study on the presence of viruses in tomato and pepper fields. In this study, 123 of 170 samples (72.4%) collected from tomato and pepper fields in Eskişehir in 2019 were infected with different viruses listed. While Orthotospovirus tomatomaculae (tomato spotted wilt virus, TSWV), cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), potato virus Y (PVY), tomato mosaic virus (ToMV), tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) viruses were detected by DAS-ELISA, pepino mosaic virus (PepMV), tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) and tobacco necrosis virus (TNV) viruses could not be detected in both host plants. To molecularly characterize the selected isolates, the complete nucleocapsid (N) gene region specific to TSWV and a partial capsid protein (CP) gene region specific to CMV were amplified via RT-PCR, followed by sequencing. Phylogenetic trees were constructed with NCBI GenBank isolates and newly sequenced isolates. Genetic structure-related analyses such as genetic diversity, genetic differentiation, gene flow, neutrality tests, selection pressure, and recombination were performed on populations. In the phylogenetic tree of the TSWV N gene, the isolates are divided into three clades of geographical origin. Genetic structure analyses revealed that TSWV populations exhibited genetic diversity. In the phylogenetic tree of the CMV CP gene, the isolates are divided into known subgroups. The analyses indicate the presence of high genetic diversity and suggest that Subgroup IB, one of the clades, may contain subgroups within itself. In addition, there are indications for the existence of different CMV subgroups in Türkiye. Although different approaches were used for both the TSWV N gene and CMV CP gene, no recombination event could be detected. This study, marking the initial identification of viruses in tomatoes and peppers within the Eskişehir region, is believed to hold substantial potential for advancing future research endeavors and enhancing disease management not only within Türkiye but also globally.

Faktor – Faktor Yang Mempengaruhi Ekspor Lada Indonesia

This study examines the effect of pepper production, household consumption, pepper export prices, and exchange rates on Indonesian pepper exports. The data used uses time series data for the period 1990 to 2019.The results of the study using multiple regression analysis using the OLS (Ordinary Least Square) method show that: (1) pepper production has a positive and significant effect on Indonesian pepper exports, domestic consumption has a negative and significant effect on Indonesian pepper exports, pepper export prices have a positive influence. but not significant to Indonesia's pepper exports, the exchange rate has a negative but not significant effect on Indonesian pepper exports.

Impact of training methods and biostimulant applications on sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum) yield and nutritional values: Under greenhouse condition

Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is an important agricultural crop because of the nutritional value of the fruit and its economic importance. Various techniques have been practiced to enhance pepper's productivity and nutritional value. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the impact of different training methods and biostimulant applications on sweet pepper plants' growth, yield, and chemical composition under greenhouse conditions. For the training method, unpruned plants were compared with one stem and two stem plants. Unpruned plants had the fruit number of 33.98, fruit weight of 2.18 kg·plant−1, and total marketable yield of 1 090.0 kg·hm−2. One stem plant gave the best average fruit weight of 86.63 g, vitamin C content of 13.66 mg·kg−1 FW, and TSS content of 7.21%. However, two stem plants had the highest fruit setting of 62.41%, carotenoid content of 0.14 mg·kg−1 FW, and fruit chlorophyll content of 3.57 mg·kg−1 FW. For biostimulant applications, control plants were compared with the Disper Root (DR) and Disper Vital (DV). DR application significantly increased total sugar, carotenoid, fruit chlorophyll, and TSS contents compared to the control and DV applications. While, applying DV increased fruit setting, plant fruit number, weight, and total marketable yield. In addition, integrating one stem plant with the DR application improved fiber, vitamin C, and TSS contents significantly. Two stem plants, and the DV application improved fruit setting and carotenoid content. Thus, one and two stem training methods integrated with the DR and DV biostimulant applications could be considered for developing agricultural practices to obtain commercial yield and improve the nutrition values of sweet peppers, as unpruned plants without biostimulant applications have a negative impact.

Optimal agricultural water allocation for enhanced productivity of hot pepper ( Capsicum annum L) and economic gain: an experimental study from Southern Ethiopia

Optimal agricultural water allocation for enhanced productivity of hot pepper ( <i>Capsicum annum</i> L) and economic gain: an experimental study from Southern Ethiopia

Production and quality of ornamental peppers cultivated under colored shade nets

The cultivation of ornamental peppers in places with high temperature and incidence of solar radiation limits the production and quality of plants and fruits. The colored shade nets were introduced and adopted, because they reduce the temperature and intensity of solar radiation, as well as, low cost and simple to handle. The aimed was to evaluate the production and quality of C. chinense and C. frutescens cultivated under colored shade nets. The experiment was developed in the Floriculture Sector of the Agronomy Department of the Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil from February to August 2021 in entirely randomized design. C. chinense and C. frutescens were cultivated under red, pearl and aluminet nets with 35% shading and without net. At 150 days, production variables were quantified. The red net reduced the maximum temperature by at 4.1ºC and the pearl and aluminet nets reduced the minimum temperature by 3ºC. The maximum and minimum relative humidity was increased by 2.6 and 8.5%, respectively, by the red net. The pearl net obtained the lowest percentage of solar radiation incidence. Plant height was greater in the red and pearl nets, and C. frutescens. The diameter and stem fresh matter did not differ statistically between treatments. Root length was greater in the red and aluminet nets. The longitudinal and transverse canopy ratio was higher in C. chinense cultivated under the aluminet net. The number of leaves and leaves fresh matter was higher in pearl and aluminet net, and in C. frutescens, but leaves dry matter was higher in C. chinense. The number of flower buds and flowers, and flower buds dry matter was higher in C. chinense. The root fresh matter and dry matter was greater in C. chinese. The use of colored shade nets during the cultivation period effectively reduced temperature and light intensity. The aluminet net in association with C. chinense are recommended considering the compactness of height, pot coverage, greater number, shape and arrangement of fruits.

Unveiling molecular mechanisms of pepper resistance to Phytophthora capsici through grafting using iTRAQ-based proteomic analysis

Phytophthora blight severely threatens global pepper production. Grafting bolsters plant disease resistance, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we used P. capsici-resistant strain ‘ZCM334’ and susceptible strain ‘Early Calwonder’ for grafting. Compared to self-rooted ‘Early Calwonder’ plants, ‘ZCM334’ grafts exhibited delayed disease onset, elevated resistance, and reduced leaf cell damage, showcasing the potential of grafting in enhancing pepper resistance to P. capsici. Proteomic analysis via the iTRAQ technology unveiled 478 and 349 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the leaves and roots, respectively, between the grafts and self-rooted plants. These DEPs were linked to metabolism and cellular processes, stimulus responses, and catalytic activity and were significantly enriched in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, carbon fixation in photosynthetic organizations, and pyruvate metabolism pathways. Twelve DEPs exhibiting consistent expression trends in both leaves and roots, including seven related to P. capsici resistance, were screened. qRT-PCR analysis confirmed a significant correlation between the protein and transcript levels of DEPs after P. capsici inoculation. This study highlights the molecular mechanisms whereby grafting enhances pepper resistance to Phytophthora blight. Identification of key genes provides a foundation for studying the regulatory network governing the resistance of pepper to P. capsici.

Grafting Bell Pepper onto Local Genotypes of Capsicum spp. as Rootstocks to Alleviate Bacterial Wilt and Root-Knot Nematodes under Protected Cultivation

In soil-based protected cultivation, the prevalence of certain diseases like bacterial wilt and nematodes in the bell pepper plant due to its successive cropping pose a threat for maximizing productivity. Considering the potential of grafting to alleviate various biotic and abiotic stresses, often relying on rootstock’s capability, we explored the potential of diverse local genotypes of Capsicum spp. to utilize as rootstocks. In this research, we assessed the performance of a commercial bell pepper cv. Massilia F1, grafted onto twenty-five rootstocks along with non-grafted and self-grafted Massilia plants under artificial inoculation conditions of bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum) and nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita) in a plastic greenhouse. The response of rootstock grafting was determined by assessing disease incidences and their effect on plants growth, yield, and physiology, as well as their efficiency in nutrient accumulation. The grafted plants exhibited varied responses to diseases depending on rootstock genotypes. Notably, Massilia grafted onto the CRS-8 and CRS-1 rootstocks exhibited high bacterial wilt resistance by showing lower percent disease incidence (PDI) (22.22 and 27.78 percent, respectively). Others, like CRS-11, CRS-12, CRS-13, CRS-21, and CRS-24, showed moderate resistance (PDI ranging from 33.33 to 38.89 percent, respectively). The self-grafted and non-grafted plants were highly susceptible and recorded complete mortality by the end of the experiment. All of the grafted plants exhibited promising resistance against nematode infestation compared to non-grafted and self-grafted plants with 26.17 and 8.67 percent root galls, respectively. The susceptible plants had lower shoot and root dry weights, while the resistant graft combinations had comparatively higher biomass. Importantly, grafting induced earliness in flowering and provided higher yields, especially in graft combinations involving the CRS-15, CRS-11, and CRS-8 rootstocks. These graft combinations exhibited significantly higher yields over the non-grafted and self-grafted plants. The plant yield was positively associated with plant height, number of leaves, fresh and dry weight of roots, number of fruits per plant, and average fruit weight, but negatively related to bacterial wilt and root-knot nematode incidences. The increased level of antioxidant enzymes such as polyphenol oxidase (PPO), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), and peroxidase (POD) and the higher total chlorophyll content in the resistant grafted plants indicates their better ability to cope with diseases at the cellular level. This study highlights the robust performance of certain rootstocks from Capsicum annuum (CRS-1, CRS-2, CRS-11, CRS-15) and Capsicum frutescens (CRS-8, CRS-13, CRS-22) species across multiple measured parameters. Grafting emerges as a sustainable solution for bell pepper production in bacterial wilt- and nematode-infested soil under plastic greenhouses.

Energy, economic, and environmental (3E) assessment of the major greenhouse crops: MFCA-LCA approach.

In order to develop sustainable production of greenhouse crops, the economic, energy, and environmental aspects of production should be considered. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the economic, energy, and environmental (3E) sustainability of cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper production in greenhouses by performing material flow cost accounting (MFCA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) material and methods. Calculating the economic and energy value of losses in agricultural sustainability assessment studies is not common. Using the LCA method alone does not allow us to calculate the monetary and energy value of waste. If this method is used simultaneously with MFCA, this gap will be filled. The system boundary for LCA was from cradle to farm, and for MFCA, foreground processes were considered. The production of each crop was compared at the level of 1000 m2 during 1year. Data were collected through questionnaire-based interviews. The gross value of production for cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper were 8982, 16387, and 17610 $/1000 m2, respectively. The negative production of cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper were 702, 718, and 449 $/1000 m2, respectively. The benefit-to-cost ratio in the production of cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper was calculated as 2.8, 5.17, and 5.8, respectively. The economic productivity in the production of cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper was calculated at 10.25, 7, and 4.4kg/$. Labor cost was the main cost in the production of all three crops. The total input energy for the production of cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper was estimated to be 99.4, 123.1, and 164.6 GJ/1000 m2, respectively. Negative products in the production of cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper were obtained at - 24.2, - 23.9, and - 13.5 GJ/1000 m2, respectively. The energy productivity of cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper was calculated as 0.23, 0.26, and 0.08kg/MJ, respectively. The specific energy indices were 4.32, 3.79, and 12.20MJ/kg for cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper, respectively. The energy ratio in the production of tomato (0.02) was higher than bell pepper (- 0.02) and cucumber (- 0.06). From the perspective of energy, electricity was recognized as the hotspot for the production of three crops. Global warming (GWP100a), ozone layer depletion (ODP), acidification (AC), and eutrophication (EP) indices were calculated for all three crops. Tomato production was ranked first in all impact categories. On-farm emissions and electricity consumption were identified as environmental hotspots. The subsidized price of electricity, natural gas, and chemical fertilizers has led to their excessive use in the production of greenhouse plants. It can be concluded that bell pepper has the best performance from an economic point of view. However, its production is not justified in terms of energy. Tomato was ranked first in terms of energy, and cucumber was ranked first in terms of low environmental impacts. The production of these plants with energy and chemical fertilizer subsidies is currently cost-effective. If the prices are corrected, the production of these plants will face serious challenges. Producing electricity from sunlight and mechanizing production processes can be a solution to these challenges.

Analyzing Food Loss in Banana Pepper (Capsicum annuum) Production: Causes, Impact, and Challenges, A Case Study of Large-Scale Farming in the Hot District, Chiang Mai, Thailand

This study aimed to assess both quantitative and qualitative food loss in banana pepper production at the agricultural level. Its objectives included employing the Supply Chain Operations Reference Model (SCOR Model) for analysis, identifying root causes of losses and evaluating quantity and quality. Food loss here refers to diminished quantity and quality due to supply chain decisions and actions. Data collection and analysis included an extensive literature review, compilation of secondary data, primary data gathering via questionnaires and measurements of lost banana pepper yield during harvesting. Qualitative insights were acquired through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The study identified weather variability as the primary driver of food loss, with many farmers lacking access to climatic measuring tools. Additional losses, assessed visually, comprised damage from diseases, pests, stunted growth, mechanical issues and other factors, accounting for 13.68, 10.13, 6.95, 4.03 and 7.01 % of the total loss, respectively. Remarkably, only 57.93 % of the produce met quality and sale readiness criteria. The loss of banana peppers was estimated at 55.21 %, equivalent to 1,189.62 kg/rai, resulting in an economic loss of 35,688.58 Baht/rai. The study also noted significant nutrient losses, including energy, carbohydrates, fiber, protein, potassium, phosphorus, vitamin B1 and vitamin C, amounting to 321,197 kcal/rai and 57,102, 38,068, 17,844 g/rai and 3,045,427, 559,121, 487,744, 166,547 mg/rai, respectively. Farmers, while aware of food loss issues, often struggle to quantify them accurately. This study’s findings can raise farmers’ awareness and aid in designing training programs to mitigate such losses. However, addressing the inherent variability and unpredictability of on-farm food loss remains a challenge. Future research should prioritize a comprehensive analysis of banana pepper losses on farms. HIGHLIGHTS Weather variability was identified as the primary driver of food loss, exacerbated by limited access to climatic measuring tools Various factors contribute to food loss, including damage from diseases, pests, stunted growth and mechanical issues, accounting for 68 to 7.01 % of total loss Significant economic and nutrient losses, with a 21 % loss of banana peppers, resulting in an economic loss of 35,688.58 Baht/rai and substantial nutrient losses in various categories GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT