Fruit Quality Of Pepper Research Articles

Postharvest quality and nutrient contents of long sweet pepper enhanced by supplementary potassium foliar application

ABSTRACT Inadequate amounts of potassium uptake by plant roots, even if it is available in soil, can be due to soil pH, plant type, and plant growth stage. Quality and shelf-life of long sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) are affected by plant nutrition. To determine the suitable potassium source for foliar fertilization during plant growth, effects of supplementary foliar K sources (K-humate, KCl, and K2SO4) were evaluated on fruit quality, chemical composition, and postharvest behavior of long sweet pepper. Pepper fruit were stored for 28 days at 10°C. Fruit weight loss and decay were reduced, and total soluble solids were increased by supplementary K application; K2SO4 and KCl were the most effective sources. The L* and chrome values, as indicator for surface color, were enhanced by K foliar fertilizer. Chlorophyll a and b were increased by K treatments compared to control. Carotenoids were increased by KCl treatment; K2SO4 was the most effective source for enhanced total phenols. Total sugar and vitamin C were increased by K application, especially when K was added as KCl. Nitrogen and phosphorous contents in fruit were enhanced by K-humate and KCl treatments while potassium content was enhanced by all K treatments. The K2SO4 and KCl could be suitable K sources for foliar fertilizer during plant growth to enhance growth, yield, and quality of pepper fruit.

Nutrición de la planta y calidad de fruto de pimiento asociado con micorriza arbuscular en invernadero


 
 
 La actividad simbiótica que presentan los hongos formadores de micorrizas puede constituir un componente biotecnológico importante para el incremento de la productividad hortícola. Dentro de los beneficios que aporta la simbiosis HMA-planta hospedante, se encuentra la promoción del crecimiento y mayor nutrición mineral de la planta. La producción hortícola en invernadero ha tenido una creciente expansión en México, debido a que tiene ventajas no solo en las demandas de los consumidores, sino por la alta productividad generada. No obstante, son múltiples los factores que procedidos de diferentes prácticas agronómicas del cultivo se manifiestan en la calidad de la producción. Por lo que se evaluó la nutrición y la calidad de fruto de pimiento (cv. ‘Valeria’), por efecto de la inoculación con el hongo micorrízico arbuscular (HMA) Rhizofagus intraradices, en invernadero. El cultivo fue manejado con sistema de fertiriego y la inoculación del HMA fue en el trasplante. Las plantas inoculadas mostraron incrementos en índice de clorofila, contenidos foliares de N, P, Fe y Zn, y colonización micorrízica, comparados con plantas no inoculadas. También se manifestaron diferencias en la calidad de fruto. Por tamaño, los frutos de plantas no inoculadas alcanzaron el grado 2, mientras que con el HMA alcanzaron el grado 1, con un incremento de peso de 30%. La inoculación con el HMA representa un manejo biotecnológico que puede ser adicionado dentro de las prácticas de producción hortícola en invernadero.
 
 

Light Supplement and Carbon Dioxide Enrichment Affect Yield and Quality of Off‐Season Pepper

Core Ideas Carbon dioxide enrichment and light supplement significantly increased the photosynthetic rate, yield, and water use efficiency. Carbon dioxide enrichment reduced fruit nutrition quality, whereas light supplement improved it. Applying light supplement and a CO2 concentration of 550 μmol mol−1 can optimize yield and quality. Off‐season vegetable crops in a greenhouse need supplementary light intensity and CO2 concentration to obtain good growth and fruit quality. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of supplementary light intensity and CO2 concentration on the photosynthesis, yield, and fruit quality of fresh hot pepper (cultivar Meite). Two light intensities—supplementary (SLI) and natural (NLI) light intensity with the averaged photosynthetic active radiation of the whole growth period of 463 and 233 μmol m−2 s−1, respectively—and 4 CO2 concentrations (400, 550, 700, and 900 μmol mol−1) were conducted on pepper planted in pots in phytotrons over the autumn and winter seasons in the arid Northwest region of China. Results showed that: (i) CO2 enrichment significantly increased the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), water use efficiency (WUE), yield parameters, and fruit storage qualities, but decreased the fruit nutrition qualities to different extents. (ii) SLI increased Pn, WUE, and fruit nutrition qualities to different extents, and increased fruit yield per plant (FYPP) by 157%. (iii) The treatment with SLI and a CO2 concentration of 550 μmol mol−1 can maximize the overall quality of pepper fruits and significantly increase FYPP with a first ranking in the technique for order of preference by similarity to the ideal solution (TOPSIS) method. Therefore, the yield of pepper grown in the off‐season was increased and fruit quality was maintained by SLI and moderately increasing CO2 concentration (550 μmol mol−1).

Fruit quality of sweet pepper as affected by foliar Ca applications to mitigate the supply of saline water under a climate change scenario.

Sweet pepper fruit quality disorders have been related mainly to an unbalanced nutrient supply and non-optimal growth conditions. Increases in the atmospheric CO2 concentration ([CO2 ]) have been associated with a reduction of transpiration, which can affect calcium (Ca) uptake as it is linked closely to water uptake. We investigated whether foliar application of Ca can counterbalance the effects of saline water and elevated [CO2 ]. High CO2 favoured generative growth instead of vegetative growth. Foliar Ca supply did not affect the marketable yield, but reduced the total yield when combined with salinity and 400 µmol mol-1 CO2 . Salinity affected negatively the total yield but this was overcome when CO2 was applied. The B and K concentrations were reduced by foliar Ca application, while Ca and Mn were increased at 400 µmol mol-1 CO2 . Salinity increased the Mn, Cl, and Na concentrations, regardless of the [CO2 ], and decreased K at 800 µmol mol-1 CO2 . The total protein was affected negatively only by elevated [CO2 ], and the total free amino acid concentration was reduced by all treatments. The effect of Ca application differed according to the other treatments applied. This procedure should be optimised to overcome future climate impacts on fruit quality. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of screenhouse cover optical properties on sweet pepper fruit quality

Effect of screenhouse cover optical properties on sweet pepper fruit quality

Effects of exogenous Ca 2+ on photosynthetic characteristics and fruit quality of pepper under waterlogging stress

Effects of exogenous Ca 2+ on photosynthetic characteristics and fruit quality of pepper under waterlogging stress

온도 및 CO2상승이 고추의 생육 및 과실품질에 미치는 영향

본 연구는 미래 기후변화 시나리오에 근거하여 예측되는 온도 및 이산화탄소 농도 상승조건에서 노지채소인 '무한질주' 고추의 생육 및 과실품질에 미치는 영향을 구명하기 위해 SPAR (Soil Plant Atmosphere Research) 챔버에서 수행하였다. 대조구인 대기온도는 노지고추 주산지인 안동지역의 평년(1971~2000; 30년) 5~10월의 생육기 평균기온(<TEX>$20.8^{\circ}C$</TEX>)을 기준으로 설정하였다. 처리구는 대조구(대기온도, 400ppm <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX>), 이산화탄소 상승구(대기온도, 800ppm <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX>), 온도 상승구(대기온도+<TEX>$6^{\circ}C$</TEX>, 400ppm <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX>), 이산화탄소+온도 상승구(대기온도+<TEX>$6^{\circ}C$</TEX>, 800ppm <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX>) 등 4수준으로 설정하였다. 대조구보다 고온 및 상승 이산화탄소 농도 조건에서 재배하였을 때 초장, 분지수, 엽수 등이 증가하였으나, 엽면적과 SPAD값은 급격히 감소하였다. 개화 및 꽃봉오리수도 온도 및 이산화탄소 농도가 증가할수록 급격히 감소되었다. 또한, 개체당 총 착과수와 총 착과중도 대조구에 비해 감소하였는데 과실무게도 약간 적었고 과실 길이와 과실 두께도 약간 줄었다. 이상의 결과로 보아 기후변화시나리오에 근거로 대기 중 <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX> 농도는 2배, 기온은 <TEX>$6^{\circ}C$</TEX> 높은 환경 조건에서는 고추의 착과가 저해되고 과실 수량도 크게 감소하였으나, 완숙 과실의 비율은 증가하여 수확시기가 다소 앞당겨질 것으로 보인다. This study was conducted to determine the impact of elevated temperature and <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX> concentration based on climate change scenario on growth and fruit quality of pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Muhanjilju) with SPAR (Soil Plant Atmosphere Research) chamber. The intraday temperatures of climate normal years fixed by <TEX>$20.8^{\circ}C$</TEX> during the growing season (May 1~October 30) of climatic normal years (1971~2000) in Andong region. There were treated with 4 groups such like a control group (ambient temperature and 400ppm <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX>), an elevated <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX> group (ambient temperature and 800ppm <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX>), an elevated temperature group (ambient temperature+<TEX>$6^{\circ}C$</TEX> and 400ppm <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX>) and an elevated temperature/<TEX>$CO_2$</TEX> group (ambient temperature+<TEX>$6^{\circ}C$</TEX> and 800ppm <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX>). Compared with the control, plant height, branch number and leaf number increased under the elevated temperature and elevated temperature/<TEX>$CO_2$</TEX> group. However, leaf area and chlorophyll content showed a tendency of decreasing in the elevated temperature group and elevated temperature/<TEX>$CO_2$</TEX> group. The number of flower and bud were decreased in the elevated temperature and elevated temperature/<TEX>$CO_2$</TEX> group (mean temperature at <TEX>$26.8^{\circ}C$</TEX>) during the growth period. The total number and the weight of fruits were decreased in the elevated temperature group and elevated temperature/<TEX>$CO_2$</TEX> group more than the control group. While the weight, length and diameter of fruit decreased more than those of control as the temperature and <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX> concentration increased gradually. This result suggests that the fruit yield could be decreased under the elevated temperature/<TEX>$CO_2$</TEX> (<TEX>$6^{\circ}C$</TEX> higher than atmospheric temperature/2-fold higher than atmospheric <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX> concentration), whereas the percentage of ripen fruits after 100 days of planting was increased, and showed earlier harvest time than the control.

Enhancing iodine content and fruit quality of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) through biofortification

Iodine is an essential trace element for human health. Its deficiency in biogeochemical environment affects about two billion people worldwide. Besides universal salt iodization, the biofortification of crops with iodine has been proposed as a strategy for improving human nutrition. This study aims at exploring the effects of iodine biofortification on the fruit quality of the pepper plants. The contents of iodine, ascorbic acid, soluble sugar and total acidity of the pepper fruits grown in solution at various iodide concentration levels were measured. Furthermore, in order to reveal the mechanism of fruit quality change, the variations in Chl-a, malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) of the pepper leaves at various growth periods in response to various iodine treatments were determined. The results indicated that the iodine content of the pepper fruits grown in 0.25–5.0mgL−1 KI solutions can amount to 350–1330μgkg−1 FW, matching the 150μgd−1 dietary iodine allowance recommended by WHO. Thus, the pepper can be used as a candidate crop for iodine biofortification. In addition, low-moderate levels (0.25–1.0mgL−1) of iodine application improved the fruit quality by enhancing the ascorbic acid and soluble sugar contents, and by reducing the total acidity of pepper fruits as well. Generally, after iodine treatments, the Chl-a concentration, and CAT, POD, SOD activities of the pepper leaves increased, while the MDA concentration decreased. The changes in photosynthetic and antioxidant capacities of the plants promoted the improvement of the pepper fruit quality.

Potassium fertilization enhances pepper fruit quality

ABSTRACTThe effect of potassium (K+) concentration on the nutritional quality and yield of pepper fruits was evaluated. Pepper plants were grown in a controlled-environment greenhouse under hydroponic conditions with different nutrient solutions obtained by modifying the Hoagland solution to achieve different K+ concentrations. Potassium nutrition affected fruit yield parameters more than vegetative biomass in pepper plants. The maximum fruit yield was obtained with 7 mM K+ in the nutrient solution. However, it is possible to improve the bioactive compounds of pepper fruits with a higher application of K+ without reducing yield. The increase of K+ in the nutrient solution improved pepper fruit quality by increasing fruit firmness, TSS content, soluble sugars and ascorbic acid concentration. Therefore, the fruit quality improvements obtained with adequate K+ nutrition resulted in nutritionally enriched fruits, which, at little or no extra cost, benefits the consumer.

Crescimento, produção e qualidade de frutos de pimenta ( Capsicum annuum) em diferentes espaçamentos

A densidade de plantio e cultivares adequadas às condições climáticas da região Sudoeste do Paraná são de grande importância no rendimento da produção e qualidade de frutos da pimenteira. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o crescimento, a produção e qualidade de frutos de cultivares de pimenta em diferentes espaçamentos e épocas de colheita conduzidas a campo na região Sudoeste do Paraná. Os experimentos foram conduzidos na área experimental da Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Campus Dois Vizinhos, no período de setembro de 2009 a julho de 2012. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições, em esquema fatorial 2x3, compreendendo duas cultivares de pimenta (BRS Mari e Páprica) e três densidades de plantio: 1,50x1,00 m; 1,00x1,25 m; 1,50x1,25 m entre linhas e entre plantas, respectivamente. Foram avaliados o número, massa fresca e produção de frutos, comprimento e diâmetro do fruto, índice de área foliar, sólidos solúveis, teor de capsaicina e dihidrocapsaicina de frutos frescos das pimenteiras. A cultivar BRS Mari resultou em maior número de frutos (199,33), produção por área (5,87 t/ha), massa fresca de frutos (768,67 g/planta) e teor de capsaicina (549,92 mg/kg) e dihidrocapsaicina (251,93 mg/kg). No espaçamento de 1,00x1,25 m obteve-se maior produção de frutos por área (22,88 t/ha), teor de capsaicina (362,25 mg/kg) e dihidrocapsaicina (165,02 mg/kg). O adensamento pode ser uma estratégia para rendimentos na produtividade das cultivares de pimenteira avaliadas.

Quality in the pepper under different fertigation managements and levels of nitrogen and potassium

The rational use of nutrients is of fundamental importance for obtaining high productivity of high nutritional quality. This work was developed with the aim of evaluating the quality of pepper fruit grown under different fertigation managements and different levels of nitrogen and potassium. The experimental design was of randomised blocks in a 3 x 6 factorial scheme with four replications. The treatments resulted from the combination of three fertigation managements (M1-based on the rate of absorption; M2-monitoring the conductivity of the soil solution; M3-monitoring concentrations of N and K ions in the soil solution) with six levels of N and K (N0K0, N50K50, N100K100, N150K150, N200K200 and N300K300) as a percentage of the recommended dosage for the crop under conventional fertigation (M1) or hydroponics (M2 and M3). Fruit quality was evaluated for the following characteristics: pH, soluble solids, titratable acidity, vitamin C content and the ratio of soluble solids to titratable acidity. The different fertigation managements only affected the levels of soluble solids (SS) and titratable acidity (TA), reducing the SS and TA. The variables under study were adjusted for the levels of N and K using quadratic models. Normal 0 21 false false false PT-BR X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

CaGLK2 regulates natural variation of chlorophyll content and fruit color in pepper fruit.

We provide multiple evidences that CaGLK2 underlies a quantitative trait locus controlling natural variation in chlorophyll content and immature fruit color of pepper via modulating chloroplast compartment size. Pepper fruit quality is attributed to a variety of traits, affecting visual appearance, flavor, chemical composition and nutritional value. Among the quality traits, fruit color is of primary importance because the pigments that confer color are associated with nutrition, health and flavor. Although gene models have been proposed for qualitative aspects of fruit color, large natural variation in quantitative pigment content and fruit color exists in pepper. However, its genetic basis is largely unknown which hampers its utilization for plant improvement. We studied the role of GLK2, a GOLDEN2-like transcription factor that regulates chloroplast development in controlling natural variation for chlorophyll content and immature fruit color of pepper. The role of GLK2 in regulating fruit development has been studied previously in tomato using ectopic expression and the uniform ripening mutant analyses. However, pepper provides a unique opportunity to further study the function of this gene because of the wide natural variation of fruit colors in this species. Segregation, sequencing and expression analyses indicated that pepper GLK2 (CaGLK2) corresponds to the recently reported pc10 QTL that controls chloroplast development and chlorophyll content in pepper. CaGLK2 exerts its effect on chloroplast compartment size predominantly during immature fruit development. We show that the genetic background, sequence variation and expression pattern confer a complex and multi-level regulation of CaGLK2 and fruit color in Capsicum. The positive effect on fruit quality predominantly at the green stage conferred by CaGLK2 can be utilized to breed green pepper varieties with improved nutritional values and taste.

Pre-harvest treatments of pepper plants with nitrophenolates increase crop yield and enhance nutritive and bioactive compounds in fruits at harvest and during storage

Pepper plants (Capsicum annuum L. cv Lamuyo) were treated with a mix of nitrophenolates either by foliar spray or in the irrigation system, and its effect on crop yield and the content of nutritive and bioactive compounds in fruit were analysed at harvest and after post-harvest storage. Treatments were applied at 2-week intervals from the development of first floral bunch (1 March) to end of August. Pepper fruits were harvested at commercial ripening stage (red surface colour) along the growth cycle (from May to September). Total yield (cumulative kilogram per plant) was increased ( 4.5% more) by nitrophenolate treatments due to significant increases in fruit mass, although the number of fruits per plant was unaffected. Pepper fruit quality (weight, firmness and pericarp thickness), its content in nutritive (sugars and organic acids) and bioactive compounds (vitamin C and total phenolics) and antioxidant activity were also enhanced by nitrophenolate treatments at the three harvested dates assayed (end May, mid July and end August). In addition, all these parameters were maintained at higher levels in treated peppers during storage, while diminutions in these parameters occurred generally in control fruit. Thus, nitrophenolate treatments were able to improve crop yield as well as the nutritional value and antioxidant properties of peppers at harvest and after fruit storage.

Fruit cuticle lipid composition and water loss in a diverse collection of pepper (Capsicum)

Pepper (Capsicum spp.) fruits are covered by a relatively thick coating of cuticle that limits fruit water loss, a trait previously associated with maintenance of postharvest fruit quality during commercial marketing. To shed light on the chemical-compositional diversity of cuticles in pepper, the fruit cuticles from 50 diverse pepper genotypes from a world collection were screened for both wax and cutin monomer amount and composition. These same genotypes were also screened for fruit water loss rate and this was tested for associations with cuticle composition. Our results revealed an unexpectedly large amount of variation for the fruit cuticle lipids, with a more than 14-fold range for total wax amounts and a more than 16-fold range for cutin monomer amounts between the most extreme accessions. Within the major wax constituents fatty acids varied from 1 to 46%, primary alcohols from 2 to 19%, n-alkanes from 13 to 74% and triterpenoids and sterols from 10 to 77%. Within the cutin monomers, total hexadecanoic acids ranged from 54 to 87%, total octadecanoic acids ranged from 10 to 38% and coumaric acids ranged from 0.2 to 8% of the total. We also observed considerable differences in water loss among the accessions, and unique correlations between water loss and cuticle constituents. The resources described here will be valuable for future studies of the physiological function of fruit cuticle, for the identification of genes and QTLs associated with fruit cuticle synthesis in pepper fruit, and as a starting point for breeding improved fruit quality in pepper.

Pearl netting affects postharvest fruit quality in ‘Vergasa’ sweet pepper via light environment manipulation

Red sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Vergasa) was grown under Pearl or black (control) nettings with 35% shading to compare their effects on postharvest fruit quality. Fully colored fruits were harvested four times from October to December, and after each harvest they were stored at 7°C for 16 days, followed by 20°C for 3 days. Compared with black netting, the Pearl netting significantly reduced water loss, decay incidence and titratable acidity, and increased fruit firmness, elasticity, ascorbic acid level and antioxidant activity, but did not change the external quality, except for a decrease in chroma. The effects of the Pearl netting were most pronounced on late-season-harvested fruits. Significant interactions were obtained between the shade netting type and harvest date. Analysis of correlations among the quality traits indicated that increased antioxidant activity and ascorbic acid content were tightly associated with the postharvest fruit quality attributes affected by the Pearl netting. Comparison between climatic parameters under the two netting treatments revealed no significant difference in air temperature and humidity, but the Pearl netting increased not only transmittance of long-waveband light but also light intensity within plant canopy. The findings suggest that the Pearl netting is more effective in maintaining postharvest sweet pepper fruit quality than the traditional black netting, especially at late-season harvests. The effects of the Pearl netting can be related to alteration of antioxidant levels induced by the pre-harvest light environment manipulation.

Fulvic acid affects pepper antioxidant activity and fruit quality

Fulvic acid has been considered as a valuable fertilizer for sustainable agriculture. The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the effect of fulvic acid (FA) on antioxidant compounds and fruit quality of pepper under field conditions. Plants were grown in the Department of Horticulture Farm, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran (latitude 36‹ 17Œ N, longitude 59‹ 35Œ E and 985 m elevation). The experiment was designed in randomized block design with three replications. Treatments consisted of five levels of fulvic acid (0, 25, 100, 175 and 250 mg kg-1). The results indicate that fruit antioxidant activity, total phenolic, carbohydrate, capsaicin and carotenoids contents were influenced by fulvic acid, but total flavonoid and ascorbic acid contents were not affected significantly by fulvic acid treatments applications. FA applied at 25 mg kg-1 resulted in the highest carbohydrate content, lycopene and ƒA-carotene contents, while the lowest values were recorded in the control. Fulvic acid treatments positively affected fruit quality (total soluble solids and titratable acidity); total soluble solids and titratable acidity significantly increased in response to FA treatments. These results confirm that the use of fulvic acid have a positive effect on antioxidant activity and quality of hot pepper under field conditions. Key words: Fulvic acid, antioxidant activity, quality, pepper.

Influence of Agricultural Practices on Fruit Quality of Bell Pepper

An experiment was carried out under plastic house conditions to compare the effect of four fermented organic matter sources (cattle, poultry and sheep manure in addition to 1:1:1 mixture of the three organic matter sources) in which 4 kg organic matter m(-2) were used, with that of the conventional agriculture (chemical fertilizers) treatments on Marvello red pepper fruit quality, by using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replicates. Pepper fruits characteristics cultivated in soil supplemented with manure were generally better than those from plants grown in soil only. Addition of animal manure increased bell pepper fruit content of soluble solids, ascorbic acid, total phenols, crude fibre and intensity of red color as compare with conventional agriculture that produced fruits with higher titratable acidity, water content, lycopene and bigger fruit size. In most cases of animal manure treatments, best results were obtained by the sheep manure treatment that produced the highest TSS, while the worst results were obtained by the poultry manure treatment that produced the smallest fruit and lowest fruit lycopene content.

Yield and fruit quality of sweet pepper in response to fertilisation with Ca2+ and K+

The influence of Ca2+ and K+ levels on fruit yield and quality of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Orlando) plants under hydroponic culture has been investigated. The treatments consisted of three concentrations of Ca2+ (1.5, 4 and 8 mmol/L) and K+ (2.5, 7 and 12 mmol/L) that were imposed separately. Fruit yield parameters and different fruit quality parameters, as well as dry matter production and mineral composition in individual parts of the plant, were determined. The increase of Ca2+ in the root medium increased the marketable yield from 1.67 to 2.38 kg/plant, mainly due to an increase in the number of fruits per plant, while higher K+ levels decreased marketable yield from 2.2 to 1.66 kg/plant, due to decreases in the number of fruits per plant and the mean fruit weight. With respect to fruit quality, fruit shape index and, therefore, pepper fruit appearance improved with Ca2+ addition to the root medium. Fertilization with K+ increased fruit acidity and decreased maturity index, which could improve fruit storability. Low Ca2+ or high K+ levels reduced both root and shoot dry matter. Therefore, an adequate management of fertilization with Ca2+ and K+ could improve the yield and fruit quality of pepper grown in soilless culture.

The effect of salinity on yield and fruit quality of pepper grown in perlite

To determine the effect of irrigation with saline water (15 and 30 mM NaCl) on yield and quality of peppers, plants were grown hydroponically under greenhouse conditions in perlite, a common growing medium used for commercial cultivation. Fruits were collected in three states of maturity (green, turning and red states) and the changes in fruit quality that take place during these maturity stages were studied also, in order to find the optimal harvest time, with respect to fruit quality. With these moderate salinity levels, there was a linear relationship between NaCl concentration and reduction of the total yield of pepper. Although the number of marketable fruits was strongly reduced with regard to the total fruit number, the marketable yield did not decrease in the same proportion due to the increase of mean marketable fruit weight. Although salinity also reduced the fruit size, the number of marketable fruits was the more important cause of marketable yield reduction. The climatic conditions of the spring-summer season produced a high incidence of blossom-end rot, this being the main cause of the marketable yield reduction with the saline treatments. The red state of pepper fruits was the most appropriate since these fruits had greater firmness than turning or green fruits when cultivated under moderate salinity, as well as higher total soluble solids values.

USE OF DISINFECTED WASTEWATER FOR PEPPER FERTIGATION IN ALMERIA (SPAIN): EVALUATION OF CHEMICAL RISKS IN SOIL AND LEACHATES

Almeria (Spain) is one of the most important agricultural areas in Southern Europe, and pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the main crops produced under intensive conditions using fertigation. The lack of good quality irrigation water in this semi-arid area is an ever increasing problem. Experiments to evaluate the usefulness and the potential risks of using disinfected urban wastewater to fertigate pepper in a greenhouse were conducted. The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential soil and leachate pollution, and to compare the yield and fruit quality of pepper. Fertigation solutions were designed with good quality ground water and disinfected waste water. The pollutants Al, Cr, Ni, As, Cd, Sn, Sb, Hg, Pb, Co and micronutrients (Mn, Cu, Zn) were analyzed in soils after digestion in microwaves with HNO 3 -HCl by ICP-MS. In the leachates collected in lysimeters Al, Cr, Ni, As, Cd, Sn, Sb, Hg, Pb, Co, Na, nutrients (K, Ca, Mg, P, B, Mn, Cu, Zn, Mo) by ICP-MS and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by using GC-MS, were analyzed. Results show that levels of pollutants and micronutrients do not differ between soil fertigated with disinfected wastewater and ground water. Leachates show no differences between disinfected wastewater and ground water with respect to inorganic pollution, and the levels of PAHs are lower than levels considered dangerous. Production, biomass and quality indices show the absence of significant differences between plants and fruits produced with good quality water and those obtained by fertigation with disinfected wastewater.