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COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE EFFECTS OF VARIOUS PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS ON GROWTH, QUALITY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF CAPSICUM ANNUUM L.

GEORGIA OUZOUNIDOU^1*, ILIAS ILIAS², ANASTASIA GIANNAKOULA² AND PARTHENA PAPADOPOULOU¹

Abstract: Pre- and post-harvest physiology and quality responses of green pepper (Capsicum annuum L.  cv ‘Standar p.13/0211003-01-Agris’) on exogenous Gibberellic acid-GA₃ (100 μM), Prohexadione-Calcium (100 mg l^-1), Cycocel (100 mg l^-1) and Ethephon (100 mg l^-1) applied as foliar sprays, were investigated. Among PGRs, GA₃ @ 100μM was effective in promoting flowering and better for vegetative characteristics. Chlorophyll a+b concentration of leaves was markedly inhibited by GA₃, Prohexadione-Calcium, Cycocel and Ethephon application while, the maximum quantum yield of primary photochemistry (F_v/F_m) and the ratio F_v/F_o was slightly increased under GA₃. The above indices were significantly depressed under Cycocel, Ethephon and Prohexadione-Calcium. CO₂ production pattern was negatively related with chlorophyll fluorescence (F_v/F_o) yield and ascorbic acid content. The Brix content and the “maturity index” were depressed after Prohexadione-Calcium, Cycocel and Ethephon application. In general, the best green pepper appearance was found under control and GA₃ whereas, pre- and post-harvest physiology and quality characteristics dropped sharply and green peppers were not marketable under the three growth retardants.

¹Institute of Food Technology, National Agricultural Research Foundation, Lycovrissi 141 23 Greece

²Department of Crop Production, Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, 57400, Sindos, Greece