Influence of chloride on growth, fruit yield and quality parameters of processing pepper

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of irrigation water containing different Cl- on plant growth parameters, fruit yield and quality characteristics of pepper (C. annuum L. cv. Postal Capija). Nutrient solutions containing Cl- concentrations were applied to processing pepper plants and effects of Cl- on growth parameters, fruit yield and quality traits, leaf water potential and chloride contents were determined. Greenhouse experiments were conducted with the Cl- concentrations [control (0.27), 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0, 7.5 and 15.0 mM] were applied to pepper plants. Plant height, fresh and dry weight, fruit yield and fruit weight, length and diameter were not affected by increasing Cl- concentrations up to 3.0 mM, but further increases in Cl- concentration negatively influenced this results. The greatest dry matter and soluble solids content were obtained from 3.0 and 4.5 mM Cl- treatments. Increasing Cl- concentration increased fruit acid content; the greatest acid content was from the greatest Cl- concentration. Increasing growing media Cl- concentration increased leaf Cl- accumulation and Cl- concentration >3.0 mM reduced leaf water potential. Research results showed that Cl- concentrations in irrigation water are important for efficient and economical pepper cultivation, and using water containing more than 3.0 mM chlorine will jeopardize yield and quality.