Pepper Varieties Research Articles

Integrative analysis of non-targeted metabolome and transcriptome reveals the mechanism of volatile formation in pepper fruit.

Introduction: Aroma is a key inherent quality attributes of pepper fruit, yet the underlying mechanisms of aroma compound biosynthesis remain unclear. Methods: In this study, the volatile profile of the QH (cultivated Capsicum chinense) and WH (cultivated Capsicum annuum) pepper varieties were putatively identified during fruit development using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results and discussion: The results identified 203 volatiles in pepper, and most of the esters, terpenes, aldehydes and alcohols were significantly down-regulated with fruit ripening. The comparison of volatile components between varieties revealed that aldehydes and alcohols were highly expressed in the WH fruit, while esters and terpenes with fruity or floral aroma were generally highly accumulated in the QH fruit, providing QH with a fruity odor. Transcriptome analysis demonstrated the close relationship between the synthesis of volatiles and the fatty acid and terpene metabolic pathways, and the high expression of the ADH, AAT and TPS genes was key in determining the accumulation of volatiles in pepper fruit. Furthermore, integrative metabolome and transcriptome analysis revealed that 208 differentially expressed genes were highly correlated with 114 volatiles, and the transcription factors of bHLH, MYB, ARF and IAA were identified as fundamental for the regulation of volatile synthesis in pepper fruit. Our results extend the understanding of the synthesis and accumulation of volatiles in pepper fruit.

Biological diversity of arthropods associated with two varieties of pepper (<i>Capsicum annuum</i> L., 1753) at Nkolmelen (Yaoundé, Cameroon)

Pepper is a vegetable which plays an important role in the human diet and health. Many insects attack this plant and decrease its production in the absence of appropriate phytosanitary treatment. Thus, the objective of the present study was to record the arthropods associated with the yellow and red pepper varieties. For this purpose, weekly observations were conducted during two cropping cycles on 192 plants, using a completely randomized device. As results, the fauna of the pepper was very diverse and stable (specific richness 47 and Equitability index 0.86). The yellow pepper was the most sensitive with an average of nine insect species per plant versus eight on the red pepper. These insects belonged to seven orders (Arachnida, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera and the Orthoptera), 28 families and 47 species. The densest orders were Diptera represented by Ceratitis capitata, Silba capsicarum, followed by Hymenoptera were represented by Camponotus floridanus, Camponotus acvapimensis and Crematogaster sp. and Hemiptera represented by Aphis gossypii, Macrosiphum euphorbiae, Pseudococcus sp. The present study provided a database on arthropodofauna of the pepper plant. This is of paramount importance for the development of healthy and sustainable protection strategies among pepper producers in order to improve national production.

Changes in Yield-Related Traits, Phytochemical Composition, and Antioxidant Activity of Pepper (Capsicum annuum) Depending on Its Variety, Fruit Position, and Ripening Stage

The relationship between fruit position, ripening stage, and variety has not been well studied in pepper plants. To understand the interaction of these factors, a diversity of phytochemical traits as well as antioxidant activity were investigated with agronomic traits in eleven hot pepper varieties collected from the upper and lower parts of the plant and harvested at three maturity stages (green, orange, and red). Capsaicin content (CAP) showed a relatively high genetic effect; on the contrary, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity were more affected by the ripening stage and fruit position. The CAP values ranged from 0.29 (‘FKbM’) to 0.77 (‘Bka’) mg CAP equivalents g−1 DW. The ripening stage was the predominant factor for TPC, TFC, DPPH, and FRAP. There was no significant interaction between A × FP, A × RS, and FP × RS for all agro-morphological fruit traits. Variety, fruit position, and ripening stage effects are more significant than all interactions calculated. Lower fruit positions in all samples showed a maximum fruit size, whereas phytochemical traits and yield per plant were relevant in the upper parts, and Phytochemical traits and yield per plant were significantly correlated. From PCA and cluster analysis, all varieties showed the highest biochemical and antioxidant levels with moderate fruit size, except the ‘Bel’ variety that showed the smallest fruit traits with high yields, and the ‘FKbM’ and ‘FKbK’ varieties that showed the highest fruit size but low yields. This study supplies information to identify interesting cultivars with considerable levels of bioactive and phytochemical metabolites, which is useful for breeding programs of novel varieties.

Influence of different norms of fertilizers and application of growth stimulant on growth, development and productivity of sweet pepper variety in the conditions of Kashkadarya region

The article presents the results of a study of growth, development, leaf surface area, the formation of a mass of tops and roots, the total and marketable yields of the Dar Tashkent sweet pepper variety at various norms of organomineral fertilizers with the use of growth stimulant, in particular gibberellin. It was revealed that with the joint application of organomineral fertilizers at a rate of 20 t/ha + N200P160K100 kg/ ha and the treatment of plants during the flowering period with gibberellin solutions (0.6-0.7 g per 10 l of water) in sweet pepper variety Dar Tashkent has a positive effect on growth , development of plants, resulting in the formation of tall (86 cm) with the largest leaf surface (0.71 m2 ), powerful tops (905 g) and root system (191 g), productivity (917 g) and marketable yield (34.7 t/ha). At the same time, the yield increase amounted to 5.9-8.8 hectares.

Endogenous melatonin content confers drought stress tolerance in pepper

Pepper plants are susceptible to drought stress, which occurs when there is a prolonged period of water shortage or inadequate soil moisture. Drought stress can lead to a range of physiological and biochemical changes in plants, which can ultimately result in reduced growth, yield, and overall crop quality. Numerous studies have shown that exogenous application of melatonin can improve drought tolerance in pepper plants by reducing oxidative damage, maintaining better water status, and enhancing photosynthetic efficiency. However, there are few studies that answer the question whether and how the level of endogenous melatonin affects drought stress tolerance of pepper plants. In this paper, the potential relationship between endogenous melatonin content and drought stress tolerance of sixty genotypes of long-fruited pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) subjected to drought stress for twelve days was investigated. Physical (leaf area), physiological (electrical conductivity (EC), visual damage index and water potential) and biochemical parameters (pre-stress and post-stress melatonin, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), TBARS, proline, chlorophyll, carotenoid levels, as well as catalase-CAT, peroxidase-POX, and superoxide dismutase-SOD activities) were analyzed in the collected leaf samples. Correlation analysis was performed between pre-stress melatonin levels and all other parameters and when significant correlation was found, polynomial regression was carried out to determine the relationship between these components. The correlation analysis showed that pre-stress melatonin contents were in positive relation to the activity of antioxidant enzymes, post-stress melatonin and chlorophyll contents, while in negative relation to H2O2, TBARS, carotenoids, EC, visual injury index, and water potential parameters. The contents of endogenous melatonin in leaves of 60 genotypes ranged from 4.9 to 73.9 μg kg−1 FW. Low melatonin genotypes showed lower water potential, proline and chlorophyll contents and antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, and POX), but higher EC, H2O2 and TBARS, suggesting they are much more susceptible to stress. Additionally, weighted scores of the genotypes considered to be susceptible were significantly lower than those of the tolerant ones. All these results suggest that there is a significant relationship between endogenous pre-stress melatonin content and drought stress tolerance. Thus, the possible use of endogenous melatonin content as a physiological marker in selecting drought stress-tolerant varieties of pepper was demonstrated.

Effects of Cadmium, Thallium, and Vanadium on Photosynthetic Parameters of Three Chili Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Varieties.

Photosynthesis is a crucial process supporting life on Earth. However, unfavorable environmental conditions including toxic metals may limit the photosynthetic efficiency of plants, and the responses to those challenges may vary among genotypes. In this study, we evaluated photosynthetic parameters of the chili pepper varieties Jalapeño, Poblano, and Serrano exposed to Cd (0, 5, 10 µM), Tl (0, 6, 12 nM), and V (0, 0.75, 1.5 µM). Metals were added to the nutrient solution for 60 days. Stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (Tr), net photosynthetic rate (Pn), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), instantaneous carboxylation efficiency (Pn/Ci), instantaneous water use efficiency (instWUE), and intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE) were recorded. Mean Pn increased with 12 nM Tl in Serrano and with 0.75 µM V in Poblano. Tl and V increased mean Tr in all three cultivars, while Cd reduced it in Jalapeño and Serrano. Gs was reduced in Jalapeño and Poblano with 5 µM Cd, and 0.75 µM V increased it in Serrano. Ci increased in Poblano with 6 nM Tl, while 12 nM Tl reduced it in Serrano. Mean instWUE increased in Poblano with 10 µM Cd and 0.75 µM V, and in Serrano with 12 nM Tl, while 6 nM Tl reduced it in Poblano and Serrano. Mean iWUE increased in Jalapeño and Poblano with 5 µM Cd, in Serrano with 12 nM Tl, and in Jalapeño with 1.5 µM V; it was reduced with 6 nM Tl in Poblano and Serrano. Pn/Ci increased in Serrano with 5 µM Cd, in Jalapeño with 6 nM Tl, and in Poblano with 0.75 µM V. Interestingly, Tl stimulated six and inhibited five of the seven photosynthetic variables measured, while Cd enhanced three and decreased two variables, and V stimulated five variables, with none inhibited, all as compared to the respective controls. We conclude that Cd, Tl, and V may inhibit or stimulate photosynthetic parameters depending on the genotype and the doses applied.

Evaluación de productos bioactivos en el cultivo del pimiento (Capsicum annuum L.) en condiciones de casa de cultivo

In a cultivation house, in Veguitas, Granma province, Cuba, an experiment was developed with the objective of evaluating the effect of three bioactive products and some of their combinations on the cultivation of pepper variety LPD-5. The design used was a randomized block with three replications and 6 treatments, which were: T1. Application of efficient microorganism (ME), T2.- Application of Pectimorf® and ME, T3.- Application of QuitoMax®, T4.- QuitoMax® and ME, T5.- Pectimorf® and T6.-Control. The number of fruits per plant, fruit length (cm), mesocarp thickness (mm), fruit mass (g), yield (kg m-2) were evaluated. A double classification analysis of variance was used and comparison of means by Tukey's parametric test at a probability of error at 5% (p≤0.05), using the statistical package “STATISTICA” for Windows, version 8.0. The best result was obtained with the application of QuitoMax® with a yield of 20.1 kg m2 (T3), followed by ME with 19.93 kg m2 (T1).

Inhibition of pepper huasteco yellow veins virus by foliar application of ZnO nanoparticles in Capsicum annuum L

The Pepper huasteco yellow vein virus (PHYVV) is an endemic geminivirus in Mexico causing partial or total losses in the pepper crop since the damage caused by the virus has not been fully controlled. In this work, we evaluated the effect of ZnO NPs (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mM) as a preventive (72 h before) and curative (72 h after) treatment of PHYVV infection in two jalapeño pepper varieties. In this study, we observed a decrease in symptoms, and it could be caused by an induction of the defense system in pepper plants and a direct action on PHYVV by foliar application of ZnO NPs. Our findings suggest that ZnO NP application significantly decreased the viral titer for both varieties at 200 mM by 15.11-fold. However, this effect was different depending on the timing of application and the variety of pepper. The greatest decrease in the viral titer in the preventive treatment in both varieties was at the concentration of 200 mM (1781.17 and 274.5 times, respectively).For curative treatment in cv. Don Pancho at the concentration of 200 mM (333.33 times) and cv. Don Benito at 100 mM (43.10 folds). compared to control. Furthermore, virus mobility was generally restricted for both varieties at 100 mM (15.13-fold) compared to the control. The results possibly delineated that ZnO NPs increased plant resistance possibly by increasing POD (2.08 and 0.25 times) and SOD (0.998 and 1.38) in cv. Don Pancho and cv. Don Benito, respectively. On the other hand, in cv. Don Pancho and cv. Don Benito presented a decrease in CAT (0.61 and 0.058) and PAL (0.78 and 0.77), respectively. Taken together, we provide the first evidence to demonstrate the effect of ZnO NPs on viral symptoms depending on the plan-virus-ZnO NP interaction.

Profiles of Semi-Polar Metabolites from Leaves of In Vitro- Derived Plants of Indonesian Pepper Varieties (Capsicum annuum) after Gamma Irradiation Treatments

Gamma irradiation has been widely utilized for mutation breeding as it induces random mutations in plant cells. Due to limitations on other breeding approaches, including cross-breeding and transgenic plants, gamma irradiation-induced mutation breeding has regained its popularity among breeders and scientists. Untargeted metabolomics analysis can be used to profile any perturbation between untreated samples and treated sample groups without having prior knowledge of particular metabolites, including semi-polar metabolites, which cover phenolic acids, flavonoids, glycosylated steroids, alkaloids, and other glycosylated species. This study aimed to profile semi-polar metabolite modification in leaves of plants derived from in vitro cultures after gamma irradiation treatments in Indonesian chili pepper varieties. Seeds of Laris and Kopay were exposed to gamma-ray doses (0, 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 Gy), after which they were germinated and cultivated in vitro. Plantlets were acclimated in the greenhouse and leaves were collected for metabolite analysis at 80 days after the germination of irradiated seeds. Semi-polar metabolites from leaves were extracted using methanol and the extracts were subjected to LC-MS analysis. Results showed that the composition and levels of semi-polar metabolites of Laris 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 Gy were similar to Laris 0 Gy (control; unirradiated seeds), although several abundancies of that of 200 Gy gamma irradiation dose were different than control. Except at dose 400 Gy, Kopay at 0 Gy, 200 Gy, and 300 Gy also showed similar metabolite profiles, indicating that gamma-ray doses did not induce mutation at genes regulating metabolite biosynthetic pathways. In contrast, Kopay 400 Gy showed low levels of terpenoids and flavonoids, indicating that a 400 Gy dose of gamma ray may affect the upstream part of the shikimate biosynthetic pathway, resulting in low levels of precursors at the upstream biosynthetic pathway of terpenoids and flavonoids. Hence, the accumulation of terpenoids and flavonoids was very low. These findings provide insights into the effect of gamma irradiation for mutation breeding that may be important for future pepper breeding programs.

Effect of shoot pruning and chicken manure on fruit set and yield of cayenne pepper grown on a sandy dryland soil

Improving the soil properties of a sandy dryland and carbohydrate allocation in crops grown on it is vital for crop production. This study explores the potential benefits of applying chicken manure and shoots pruning on fruit sets and the yield of cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) grown on sandy dryland soil. An experiment testing a hybrid variety of cayenne pepper (Dewata 43) was conducted in Gumantar village, North Lombok, Indonesia (8.253654 S, 116.285695 E). Chicken manure treatment consisted of three levels; no chicken manure, chicken manure, and Trichoderma-enriched chicken manure at 3.5 ton ha−1. Pruning consisted of two levels; unpruned and pruned at three weeks after planting. The treatments were arranged factorially in a randomized block design with three replications. The study revealed that the soil was low in organic matter and had low nutrient content. Pruning did not show a significant effect, but chicken manure affected the fruit set and yield of cayenne pepper. Trichoderma-enriched chicken manure produced the highest fruit set (93%) and fruit weight per plant (286 g). The highest yield up to the fifth harvest was much lower than the variety’s yield potential, indicating room for improvement in cayenne pepper production in sandy dryland soils.

Effect of various LED light on the growth and reproductive of in vitro-derived Indonesian chili pepper (Capsicum annum) Kopay and Laris varieties

Red chili (Capsicum annuum), is one of the horticultural commodities that has a high demand. The production, however, is limited because of unsuitable climate and pest attack. Artificial light using LED light in indoor farming is a potential approach to solve the problem and for the production of metabolites for human health. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of various LED lights (white, red, blue, UV and combination red+blue) on two Indonesian chili pepper (Capsicum annuum) varieties Kopay and Laris derived from in vitro cultures and grown in the growth chamber and the greenhouse. Parameters observed were leaves number, plant height, number and weight of axillary buds, number of flower and number of young fruits. The results showed that Laris and Kopay under red and blue light significantly different on height character at 66 DAT. In Laris variety, the highest leaves number observed in plants under red light, while the highest young fruit number observed under blue light. Both red and blue lights grew taller than white light. In Kopay variety, combination red+blue light resulted in higher value in plant height, number of flowers has bloomed, number of axillary buds and weight of axillary buds at 37 DAT. The highest young fruit number observed in plants under white light. These results demonstrated that light wavelength through LED light affected plant growth and development. The findings are crucial for determining the best treatment for producing fruits containing health related-metabolites accumulated in chili peppers of each variety.

Exploring the Interplay of Sweet Pepper Varieties and Seedling Growing Techniques on Crop Productivity

This study, conducted at the "Horticulture Farm" of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from October 2021 to April 2022, aimed to investigate the impact of seedling growing techniques on the growth and yield of sweet pepper, considering different varieties. The experiment featured two main factors: Factor A, focusing on seedling growing techniques (T1 = Open field, T2 = Net house, and T3 = Poly tunnel), and Factor B, concerning pepper varieties (V1 = BARI Mistimorich 1, V2 = BARI Mistimorich 2, and V3 = California wonder). The experimental design employed was a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Results from the analysis revealed significant variations in most of the studied characteristics related to sweet pepper growth and yield. The results underscored that both seedling growing techniques and pepper varieties had substantial influences on sweet pepper growth and yield. Regarding seedling growing techniques, the highest sweet pepper yield (50.83 t/ha) was observed in the Net house (T2) treatment, while the lowest yield (21.46 t/ha) was recorded in the Open field (T1) treatment. In terms of different varieties, the highest yield (45.00 t/ha) was obtained from BARI Mistimorich 2 (V2) treatment, whereas the lowest yield (30.42 t/ha) was associated with the California wonder (V3) treatment. The most promising results emerged from the combination of treatments, with the highest fruit yield (58.75 t/ha) achieved in the Net house + BARI Mistimorich 2 (T2V2) treatment combination. Conversely, the lowest fruit yield (15.63 t/ha) was observed in the Open field + California wonder (T1V3) treatment combination. Overall, this study demonstrates that the T2V2 treatment combination stands out as the most effective approach for achieving superior sweet pepper growth and fruit yield.

Combining Ability on Yields, Capsinoids and Capsaicinoids in Pepper Varieties (Capsicum annuum L.)

The requirement for good parental lines of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) with high phytochemicals, especially for capsinoids (CATs) and capsaicinoids (CAPs), is rapidly increasing, and plant breeders are encouraged to develop new pepper varieties. The objective of this study was to estimate the general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) for the contents of CATs and CAPs in pepper in two different environments. The mean performances for fresh yield, dry yield and phytochemical contents in C. annuum L. were significantly affected by the environment. The effect of additive gene action was significant in determining the traits of CAT, Sum CATs, CAT yield and Sum CAPs. Conversely, non-additive gene action played a crucial role in the accumulation of DI-CAT in this population. The parental lines 203, 201, 101 and 202 were identified as the best parents for fruit yield, sum CAPs, sum CATs and CAT yield, respectively, based on their high positive GCA values and mean actual values. The SCA estimates for fruit yield, sum CAPs and sum CATs were positive and high for the hybrids 102/203, 101/201 and 102/202, indicating that they hold promise for use in commercial hybrids.

A Comprehensive Genome-Wide Association Study of Carotenoid and Capsaicinoid Contents in Capsicum chinense Germplasm.

Pepper is a highly important vegetable globally, both economically and nutritionally. However, to efficiently select and identify genetic resources for pepper breeding programs, it is crucial to understand the association between important traits and genetic factors. In this study, we investigated the genetic basis of carotenoid and capsaicinoid content in 160 Capsicum chinense germplasms. The study observed significant variability in carotenoid and capsaicinoid content among the germplasms. Correlation analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between violaxanthin and antheraxanthin. In contrast, capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin displayed negative correlations with individual carotenoids but exhibited a strong positive correlation between the two compounds (r = 0.90 ***). Genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) was performed on 160 genotypes of pepper germplasm, which identified 47,810 high-quality SNPs. A comprehensive genome-wide association analysis was performed using these SNPs to identify SNPs associated with carotenoids and capsaicinoids, revealing 193 SNPs that exhibited significant associations. Specifically, 4 SNPs were associated with violaxanthin, 2 with antheraxanthin, 86 with capsorubin, 5 with capsanthin, 63 with zeaxanthin, 3 with β-cryptoxanthin, and 2 with α-carotene. With further studies, the significantly associated SNPs identified in this study have the potential to be utilized for selecting pepper accessions with high carotenoid and capsaicinoid contents. Additionally, the genes associated with these significant SNPs will be used to understand their roles and involvement in the biosynthesis pathway of carotenoids and capsaicinoids. Understanding the function of these genes can provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the production of these bioactive compounds in pepper. The findings of this study hold valuable implications for selecting pepper varieties with desirable traits and developing breeding programs aimed at enhancing the nutritional and medicinal properties of pepper.

Determination of pesticide residues in varieties of pepper sold at different periods and provinces in Turkey and investigation of their adverse effects on human health and the environment

ABSTRACT Pesticides are dangerous chemicals that can harm to people and the environment when applied inappropriately or in excess. In this research, various pesticide residues were investigated in 48 pepper samples using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). All samples were collected randomly in two periods of time (September and December) from markets and greengrocers in four provinces (Siirt, Mardin, Diyarbakir, and Batman). Considering the means of the first and second periods, diclofop-methyl had the highest concentration of 29.4 ± 7.7 µg kg−1, and diazinon had the lowest of 21.1 ± 4.6 µg kg−1. Based on the maximum residue limits (MRLs) of pesticides specified in the Turkish Food Codex, pyrimethanil, bupirimate, and diclofop-methyl were found to be below the maximum acceptable residue limit, while pyridaphention, dinoseb, diazinon, and pirimiphos-methyl were found to be above the limit. Thus, the current study demonstrated the potential of LC-MS/MS as a crucial technique for accurate measurements and confirmations of pesticides in different pepper varieties.

Bioactive and Sensory Properties of Sweet Italian (Capsicum annuum) and Habanero (Capsicum chinense) Pepper Commonly Consumed in Benue State of Nigeria

This study investigated the bioactive and sensory properties of Sweet Italian (Capsicum annum) and Habanero (Capsicum chinese) pepper varieties, which are the common varieties of pepper consumed in Benue State, Nigeria. The two varieties of pepper were harvested fresh and dried using local drying equipment and milled into powder using a laboratory blender. The bioactive, phytochemical and sensory properties of the two pepper varieties were evaluated using standard methods. Results showed that the bioactive components of Habanero (HNP) and Sweet Italian (SIP) pepper varieties were vitamin C (60.32 and 51.50), lycopene (142.00mg/g and 118.00mg/g) and carotene (52mg/g and 40.10mg/g) for HNP and SIP respectively. The phytochemical content include total phenolic content (136.0±0.98 and 173.0±1.4 mg GAE/g), total flavanoid content (78.6±1.1 and 62.7±0.1.37 mg RUTIN/g), Tannin (1.53±0.16 and 1.55±0.09 mg/g), Saponin (0.13±0.02 and 0.15±0.05 mg/g), Steroids (0.91±0.04 and 0.89±0.09 mg/g) and Alkaloids (6.75±0.53 and 7.00±0.35 mg/g). The values for sensory properties of the pepper samples ranged between (6.25 ˗ 8.40) for appearance, (5.95 ˗ 7.85) for aroma, (5.55 ˗ 7.5) for taste, (5.20 ˗ 7.90) for mouth feel and (5.75 ˗ 7.90) for overall acceptability. The Suya from HNP peppers was most preferred for all the sensory attributes measured except for appearance the Suya prepared from SIP and HNP exhibited more acceptable sensorial attributes than the commercial suya, The results thus suggest that these peppers have bioactive properties that could be utilized in the prevention and management of degenerative chronic diseases such as oxidative stress and diabesity in our communities.

Fight against cold: photosynthetic and antioxidant responses of different bell pepper cultivars (Capsicum annuum L.) to cold stress

The special metabolites of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) leaves can protect the plant under possibly damaging circumstances, such as high light, UV, unfavorable temperatures, or other environmental effects. In this study, we examined the cold stress tolerance of three different Hungarian pepper varieties (Darina, Édesalma, Rekord), focusing on the antioxidant and photosynthetic responses. The plants were developed in growth chambers under optimal temperature conditions (day/night 25 °C/20 °C) until the leaves on the fourth node became fully developed, then half of the plants received a cold treatment (day/night 15 °C/10 °C). Via a detailed pigment analysis, the PS II chlorophyll fluorescence responses, gas exchange parameters and total antioxidant capacities, leaf acclimation to low temperatures has been characterized. Our results display some of the developing physiological and antioxidant properties, which are among the main factors in monitoring the damaging effects of cold temperatures. Nevertheless, despite their differences, the tested pepper varieties did not show different cold responses.

Growth and yield of seed priming using golden snail fertilizer liquid organic with on the katokkon chili variant

The purpose of this study was to increase the germination and growth of chili plants by using the seed priming technique with golden snail liquid organic fertilizer. The survey was conducted from August 2021 to February 2022 in Buntudatu Village, Tana Toraja Regency, South Sulawesi Province, at an altitude of 900 m a.s.l. This research was carried out in the form a split-plot design. Experiment using a randomized block design (RBD).This experiment consists of two factors. The first was a 3-step cultivar, and the second was a subplot, concentration (T) of liquid organic fertilizer solution, which consisted of 3 steps and was repeated 3 times for each treatment, so we had 27 experimental units. The results showed that the treatment with the Katokkon pepper variety had an effect on the remaining fruit weight (89.97 g). The best results were obtained in the treatment with the Leatung 2 (V3) variant and the administration of golden snail liquid organic fertilizer at a concentration of 20 ml/L of water.

Simulation of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) growth stages under different nitrogen fertiliser levels based on three models

ABSTRACT The pepper variety ‘Sanying’ was treated with different nitrogen levels (0.36, 0.72, 1.08, 1.44, 1.80, 2.16, 2.52, 2.88 g/basin) in 2022. The onset, end dates, and the meteorological data of the environment of each growth period were recorded. Simulation models of the effect of nitrogen levels on the growth period of pepper were constructed with physiological development time (PDT), product of thermal effectiveness and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) (TEP), and growing degree days (GDD) as indices using experimental data from March to September. The models were fitted and verified with experimental data from April to October. The results showed that with the increase of the amount of nitrogen fertiliser, the growth process of pepper showed a significantly delayed trend. The root mean squared errors of the fitting values and observed values during the flowering stage, fruit setting stage, and harvesting stage of peppers were 1.02 days, 1.05 days, and 1.27 days, respectively. The relative errors were 0.71%, 0.88%, and 0.95%, and the coefficients of determination (R 2) were 0.97, 0.96, and 0.94, respectively. Therefore, the PDT model is the optimal model with the highest simulation accuracy to simulate the pepper phenological stage under different nitrogen levels.

Crop Productivity Boosters: Native Mycorrhizal Fungi from an Old-Growth Grassland Benefits Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and Pepper (Capsicum annuum) Varieties in Organically Farmed Soils.

This paper investigates the response of five tomato and five pepper varieties to native arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal inoculation in an organic farming system. The field experiment was conducted across a growing season at a working organic farm in Lawrence, KS, USA. The researchers hypothesized that native AM fungi inoculation would improve crop biomass production for both crop species, but that the magnitude of response would depend on crop cultivar. The results showed that both crops were significantly positively affected by inoculation. AM fungal inoculation consistently improved total pepper biomass throughout the experiment (range of +2% to +8% depending on the harvest date), with a +3.7% improvement at the final harvest for inoculated plants. An interaction between pepper variety and inoculation treatment was sometimes observed, indicating that some pepper varieties were more responsive to AM fungi than others. Beginning at the first harvest, tomatoes showed a consistent positive response to AM fungal inoculation among varieties. Across the experiment, AM fungi-inoculated tomatoes had +10% greater fruit biomass, which was driven by a +20% increase in fruit number. The study highlights the potential benefits of using native AM fungi as a soil amendment in organic farmed soils to improve pepper and tomato productivity.