Fruit Quality Of Sweet Pepper Research Articles

Foliar application of plant growth regulators changes the nutrient composition of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

Plant growth regulators (PGRs) may have an important role in regulating both yield and fruit quality during the production of sweet pepper in controlled-environment greenhouses, but the uncertainly of results – due to the specificity of the plant response – could limit their use and potential benefits. Therefore, we investigated the effect of the foliar spraying of abcisic acid (ABA), gibberellic acid (GA3) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) on fruit colour, concentrations of carbohydrates, ions and amino acids, plant growth and total fruit yield. Although yield was decreased by the GA3 and ABA treatments, GA3 augmented plant height and the levels of tyrosine, phosphate, sulphate, iron and phosphorus while decreasing the amounts of glucose and fructose. The foliar applications of IAA did not produce any change when compared with the control plants, while plants treated with ABA had decreased levels of sucrose but higher levels of iron. GA3, applied fortnightly, produced a significant improvement in the fruit quality of sweet pepper but did not significantly increase total yield. Further studies will be necessary to determine the best GA3 concentration and frequency of application, to obtain greater benefits for human consumption this important crop.

Podridão apical e escaldadura em frutos de pimentão submetidos a estresse hídrico e doses de silício

As respostas da planta de pimentão submetida ao estresse hídrico são pouco conhecidas. A busca por indutores de resistência ao estresse hídrico (como a adubação silicatada) pode ser uma importante medida para reduzir os efeitos negativos desse estresse abiótico. Dessa forma, o objetivo desse estudo foi testar a hipótese de que a adubação silicatada aplicada via foliar pode atenuar a incidência de anomalias causadas pelo estresse hídrico na qualidade dos frutos de pimentão. O experimento foi conduzido em ambiente protegido na área experimental de olericultura do Instituto Federal Goiano, câmpus Urutaí-GO. O delineamento utilizado foi em blocos casualizados, com parcela subdividida no espaço, em esquema fatorial 3x4, sendo três doses de silício (0,0, 4,3, 8,6 kg ha-1) na forma de silicato de potássio (K2SiO3) e quatro tensões de água no solo de aproximadamente -15, -25, -35 e -45 kPa, totalizando 12 tratamentos, com quatro repetições. Os níveis de água no solo para a produção do pimentão, cultivar híbrido Magali-R, variaram desde a suficiente oferta de água até o déficit hídrico e, também, valores intermediários. Vinte e uma aplicações foliares de silicato de potássio foram efetuadas semanalmente ao longo do experimento. O aumento da tensão de água no solo e a ausência do silicato de potássio estiveram correlacionados com a incidência da podridão apical nos frutos. Nenhum dos dois fatores estudados influenciou a incidência de escaldadura nos frutos de pimentão. No total foram 129 frutos de pimentão com podridão apical e 70 com escaldadura, representando 2,14% e 1,16% do total de frutos colhidos.

Productivity of pepper crop (Capsicum annuum L.) as affected by organic fertilizer, soil solarization, and endomycorrhizae

Two protected experiments were designed to study the effect of organic fertilizer, soil solarization, and endomycorrhizae on yield and fruit quality of sweet pepper. A split–split plot design was used with four replicates for each treatment. The organic fertilizer treatments were randomly distributed among the main plots, soil solarization treatments arranged among the sub plots, while mycorrhizal treatments were allocated as sub–sub plots.The combined interaction of organic fertilizer, soil solarization, and endomycorrhizae gave the highest increase roots infection percentages when compared to other treatments, being 78% and 87% in the first and second seasons in respective order. Organic fertilizer, soil solarization and mycorrhizal inoculation, either separately or in different interactions resulted in significant increases in pepper’s early yield, total yield, total number of fruits per plot, and fruit length and diameter. The combined interaction between organic fertilizer, soil solarization, and VAM gave the highest significant increase in early and total yields (kg/plot) and total number of fruits/plot being 9.251 and 75.645kg/plot and 529.3fruits/plot, respectively.

Effect of compost on antioxidant components and fruit quality of sweet pepper (capsicum annuum L.)

In order to determine the effect of compost (CO) on antioxidant compounds and fruit quality of sweet pepper (Capsicum annum L.), an experiment was conducted in open field. Treatments consisted of four levels of compost (0, 5, 10 and 15 ton ha-1).The experiment was designed in randomized block design with three replications. Compost treatments positively affected fruit antioxidant compounds of pepper (antioxidant activity, total phenolic and carbohydrate content).But, no significant difference was found in total flavonoid content between compost and control treatments. The highest antioxidant activity and carbohydrate content were obtained in plants treated with10 ton ha-1 of compost. Fruit quality factors (pH, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid and fruit firmness) were influenced by compost treatments. Total soluble solids, and fruit firmness significantly increased in response to compost treatments and the highest values were obtained from the most level of compost treatment (15 t ha-1). Thus, these results showed that compost has strong impact on fruit quality and antioxidant compounds of pepper plants under field conditions.

Effect of compost on antioxidant components and fruit quality of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.).

In order to determine the effect of compost (CO) on antioxidant compounds and fruit quality of sweet pepper (Capsicum annum L.), an experiment was conducted in open field. Treatments consisted of four levels of compost (0, 5, 10 and 15 ton ha-1).The experiment was designed in randomized block design with three replications. Compost treatments positively affected fruit antioxidant compounds of pepper (antioxidant activity, total phenolic and carbohydrate content).But, no significant difference was found in total flavonoid content between compost and control treatments. The highest antioxidant activity and carbohydrate content were obtained in plants treated with10 ton ha-1 of compost. Fruit quality factors (pH, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid and fruit firmness) were influenced by compost treatments. Total soluble solids, and fruit firmness significantly increased in response to compost treatments and the highest values were obtained from the most level of compost treatment (15 t ha-1). Thus, these results showed that compost has strong impact on fruit quality and antioxidant compounds of pepper plants under field conditions.

Effect of plant density and nitrogen fertilizer on growth, yield and fruit quality of sweet pepper (Capsicum annum L.)

The present research was carried out to evaluate response of sweet pepper (Capsicum annum L.) to plant density and nitrogen fertilizer under field conditions. Plant density at four levels (2050 cm, 3050 cm, 20100 cm and 30100 cm) and nitrogen treatments at four levels (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg N/ha) were applied. Plant height, lateral stem number, leaf chlorophyll content, yield, and vitamin C were assessed at immature and mature stages. The results showed that vegetative growth characteristics (plant height, lateral stem number and leaf dry matter) and reproductive factors (fruit volume, fruit weight and plant yield) decreased with increasing plant density, but total yield (kg/ha) increased with increasing plant density. The highest and lowest total yields were obtained by plant density 20×50 cm and 30×100 cm respectively. Nitrogen fertilizer was significantly affected on plant height, lateral stem number and leaf chlorophyll content. It was observed that fertilization with 50 kg N/ha resulted to the highest fruit volume and plant yield. There were significant differences between fruit volume and fruit weight by interaction between plant density and nitrogen treatments. Key words: Plant density, nitrogen, pepper, yield, fruit quality.

Effect of Maturity Stage and Short-Term Storage on the Biological Quality of Sweet Pepper Fruits

Effect of Maturity Stage and Short-Term Storage on the Biological Quality of Sweet Pepper Fruits Sweet pepper plants of Spartacus cultivar were grown in plastic tunnel on rockwool using the fertigation technique. The three year experiment was carried out in 2006-2008. Fruits were harvested every year in three maturity stages: green, turning and red. The contents of ascorbic acid, phenols, soluble sugars, nitrate and ammonium ions, total nitrogen, free amino acids and dry matter were determined in freshly harvested fruits as well as after short-term (two weeks) storage. Red pepper fruits accumulated significantly more ascorbic acid, soluble sugars and phenols in comparison with the green and turning ones. The level of nitrate ions was highest in the green fruits and decreased during their ripening while the ammonium ion concentration increased. The lowest content of amino acids was observed in green fruits. Two week storage at 5-8°C, followed by two days at room temperature caused the reduction of nitrate ions in green and red fruits. Ammonium ion content as well as phenol and soluble sugar level increased in stored fruits, irrespectively of their maturity stage. Ascorbic acid content increased in the stored turning and red pepper fruits as related to its initial concentration. Dry matter content did not change after storage. Biological quality of harvested pepper fruits depended of their maturity stage, however, their response to short-term storage was similar.

Evaluation of different substrates on yield and fruit quality of sweet pepper using open soilless culture

Evaluation of different substrates on yield and fruit quality of sweet pepper using open soilless culture

Effects of postharvest treatments on fruit quality of sweet pepper at low temperature

Postharvest storage of sweet pepper fruits (Capsicum annuum L.) at low temperatures could impair their physical and chemical composition. Therefore, maintenance of essential nutrition support or altered gas exchange could preserve fruit quality, minimizing chilling injury. Thus our aim was to determine the response to postharvest application of a low concentration of nitrogen (urea) or antitranspirant (pinolene) during a period of 21 days at 5 °C. The results indicate that storage at 5 °C was effective with respect to maintaining firmness of sweet pepper fruits for 21 days, while application of antitranspirant increased firmness compared with non-sprayed fruits. Additionally, urea maintained color while increasing total phenolics and the activity of catalase and ascorbate peroxidase, lowering lipid peroxidation. Composition of free amino acids was affected to a minor extent. Maintaining quality is of paramount importance in the postharvest period. This study shows the effect of both temperature and spraying treatments with regard to maintaining fruit quality during this period, and provides new insights into the physiological role of enzymes of the antioxidant system during pepper storage at low temperature.

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.

EFFECT OF BORON FOLIAR APPLICATION AND DIFFERENT COMBINATIONS OF MINERAL AND ORGANIC NITROGEN FERTILIZATION ON GROWTH, CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND YIELD OF SWEET PEPPER (Capsicum annuum L.).

Two field experiments were performed at El-Baramon, Experimental Station, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt, during the successive seasons of 2007 and 2008 to study the effect of boron foliar nutrition and different combinations of mineral and organic nitrogen fertilization on growth, chemical composition and yield of sweet pepper cv. California wonder. The main results could be summarized that: 1- Foliar application of boron at 100 ppm and fertilization with 75% mineral nitrogen fertilizer + 25% organic nitrogen resulted significasnt increase of plant height, number of branches, fresh and dry weight. 2-The highest significant values of A, B, total chlorophyll and carotene as well as N, P, K and Ca contents in sweet pepper plant leaves were obtained with foliar addition of boron at 100 ppm and fertilization with 75% mineral nitrogen + 25% organic nitrogen. 3- Fruit sitting percentage, number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, fruit yield per plant and total yield per feddan were significantly increased as a result of foliar addition with boron at 100 ppm and fertilization at level of 75% mineral nitrogen fertilizers + 25% organic nitrogen. 4- Foliar nutrition of boron at 100 ppm and fertilization by 75% mineral nitrogen + 25% organic nitrogen significantly increased fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit flesh thickness, fruit dry weigh and TSS as well as vit C. In general, this study demonstrated that it is possible to produce highest growth, yield and quality of sweet pepper fruits by foliar application with boron at 100 ppm and fertilization using 75% from the recommended dose as mineral nitrogen plus 25% from the recommended dose as organic nitrogen.

The Comparison of Yielding and Nutritive Value of Organic and Conventional Pepper Fruits

The Comparison of Yielding and Nutritive Value of Organic and Conventional Pepper Fruits During 2006-2008 in Research Institute of Vegetable Crops at Skierniewice the studies were conducted on yielding and fruit quality of pepper cultivated by organic and conventional method. Two experiments were set on the nearby organic and conventional fields. The first one was conducted on the certified organic experimental field having red clover mixed with grasses as a fore-crop. Pest and disease control was provided according to organic standards. In conventionally managed field a mineral fertilization and chemical weed, pest and disease control was used. A fore crop for conventional pepper was a mixture of cereals with papilionaceous. In both experiments two kinds of field mulching was examined using fresh cut red clover and black polypropylene flees with no mulching for the control. The contents of vitamin C, β-carotene, soluble phenols and total flavonoides in matured fruits were examined. The results revealed an impact of cultivation method and mulching on the yield and fruit quality of sweet pepper. In the first two years the conventional method was superior in respect of the total and marketable fruit yield. In the third year significantly better yielding was obtained from organic cultivation. The plants of conventional pepper suffered from soil borne diseases while organic plants showed good health conditions. Flees mulching increased the total yield of organic pepper, but the differences were significant in the last year only. Organic fruits distinguished themselves with the higher mean fruit weight, less wastes and more intensive redness as compared to conventional fruits. Chemical analysis revealed higher content of ascorbic acid, beta carotene, soluble phenols and total flavonoides in organic pepper as compared to conventional ones. Some beneficial effect of clover mulching on the content of ascorbic acid, β-carotene and soluble phenols irrespectively on the cultivation method was observed. However the concentration of flavonoides was higher in fruits cultivated without mulching. Both examined mulching materials decreased amount of flavonoides in fruits irrespectively on cultivation method.

Influence of foliar urea on the antioxidant response and fruit color of sweet pepper under limited N supply

AbstractBACKGROUND: Foliar fertilizer methods could provide a rapid and efficient response when uptake by plant roots is limited. This work studies the effect of foliar urea sprays (15 g L−1) at different frequencies on the antioxidant metabolism and fruit quality of sweet pepper fruits under N‐limited nutrient solution (3.5 mmol L−1 NO3−) and fully N‐supplied (12.5 mmol L−1 NO3−) plants.RESULTS: Foliar applications of urea in root N‐limited plants increased the total N concentration in the fruits and no significant differences were found with respect to control fruits (plants fully supplied with N by the roots). Fruit color was significantly affected by the urea sprays, and at the highest frequency (twice a week) the largest overall color difference (ΔE) with respect the non‐sprayed fruits was obtained. Foliar urea increased anthocyanin concentration to control values but flavonoids were only affected at the highest application frequency. N deficiency induced oxidative stress but foliar application of urea altered this response, significantly diminishing catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activity.CONCLUSION: Sweet pepper fruits showed a significant and positive response to foliar fertilization on the studied parameters, compensating to a major extent the reduction of N by the roots. In addition to the environmental issues in reducing N contamination, fully monitored automatically sprayed foliar fertilizer could utilize N more efficiently and at lower cost than applying the full recommended rate of other N fertilizers to the nutrient solution, providing flexibility in correcting N nutrition in the plant, and especially the control of nutrient supply independent of the water supply. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry

The effect of plant-associative bacteria ( Azospirillum and Pantoea) on the fruit quality of sweet pepper under limited nitrogen supply

This study investigates the influence of a commercial product, Biopron ®, consisting of the bacteria Azospirillum brasilense and Pantoea dispersa on sweet pepper fruits ( Capsicum annuum L.) under limited N supply. When the N supply was reduced from 12 (control) to 7 mmol L −1, the concentration of total-N in the fruits was significantly reduced in both inoculated and non-inoculated plants. The N supply or inoculation did not affect the dry matter content or fruit firmness, but non-inoculated fruit with low N showed a decrease in pericarp thickness and a significant increase in the color parameter a * compared with the control. Under limited N, inoculation increased the concentration of citric, ascorbic and succinic acids in green fruit compared with non-inoculated fruit, which showed lower values than control fruit. At a later (yellow) stage of development, only succinic acid showed a response to inoculation. Fruit peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) activity in fruit of inoculated plants was lower than that observed for non-inoculated fruit grown at both high- and low-N. In contrast, in yellow fruit, total phenolic compounds were increased under N limitation, with no inoculation effect. Our study shows that the effect of plant associative bacteria is not directly related with the increased potential availability of nutrients for uptake, especially for fruit quality characteristics.

Influence of agricultural practices on the quality of sweet pepper fruits as affected by the maturity stage

AbstractBackground:Peppers are popular vegetables because of their colour, taste and nutritional value. The levels of vitamin C, carotenoids and phenolic compounds in peppers and other vegetables depend on several factors, including cultivar, agricultural practice and maturity stage.Results:In this study the effects of maturation and type of agricultural practice (organic or conventional) on the ascorbic acid, total carotenoid and total phenolic contents and colour parameters of sweet peppers (Capsicum annuum cv. Almuden) grown in a controlled greenhouse were determined. Levels of vitamin C, phenolic compounds and carotenoids increased during ripening, with red sweet peppers having higher contents of these bioactive compounds. Moreover, peppers grown under organic culture had higher vitamin C, phenolic and carotenoid levels than those grown under conventional culture. With respect to colour parameters, organic red peppers had higher values of L*, a*, b*, C* and Hab than conventional red peppers, giving them a higher intensity of red colour.Conclusion:Thus organic farming had a positive effect on the nutritional content of peppers, increasing the vitamin C activity and the level of phenolic compounds, both implicated in the antioxidant activity of vegetables, and the content of carotenoids, implicated in the colour variance observed in pepper fruits. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry

Effect of black plastic mulch and raised bed on soil temperature and yield of sweet pepper

A field study was conducted in Central Hungary in 2001 and 2002 in order to evaluate the effects of black plastic mulch and raised bed on soil temperature and on yield and fruit quality of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. `Kárpia'). The experiment was a complete block design with four replicates. Four different technologies were used as treatments: raised bed with black PE mulch, raised bed without mulch, level ground with black PE mulch and level ground without mulch. In both years soil temperature was the highest in the covered raised bed treatment, about 2 °C higher than in the uncovered raised bed. Optimum soil temperature requirement of sweet pepper roots was met to the highest degree in case of the covered raised bed, 26-28% of the total growing period. The more favourable soil temperature conditions resulted in better yield, compared to the uncovered level ground treatment the covered raised bed treatment produced 19% and 14% higher yield in 2001 and 2002, respectively.

Effect of shading on plant development, yield and fruit quality of sweet pepper grown under conditions of high temperature and radlation

The effect of different levels of shading of sweet pepper under high solar radiation (> 600 cal cm −2day −1) at 2 different spacings during the summer months in the northwestern Negev desert of Israel (31°N) was investigated. When light intensity was reduced, plant height, number of nodes and leaf size increased. However, shading inhibited the development of lateral shoots on the main stem of the plant below the first terminal flower. The changes in plant development due to shading affected fruit set, number of fruits per plant, fruit location on the plant, fruit development and yield. The lateral shoots which developed under high light intensity provided 25% of the total yield, whereas only a few fruits were picked from the lateral shoots of plants under low light intensity. The lowest number of fruits per plant was obtained under 47% shading at 5 plants m −2 density, under 47 and 26% shading at 6.7 plants m −2 density. Under shading, individual fruits were larger and had a thicker pericarp. Shading reduced sun-scald damage of the fruits from 36% in full sunlight to 3–4% under 26 and 47% shading. The highest yield of high-quality fruits was obtained with 12–26% shade.