EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENT FACTORS ON THE GROWTH AND INCIDENCE OF BLOSSOMEND ROT IN SOILLESS CAPSICUM FRUCTESCENS VAR. GROSSUM

G. Li, W. Zhang, F. Benoit, N. Ceustermans
Blossom-end rot (BER), a physical disorder common in tomato and pepper fruits, is related to poor calcium translocation in the fruits. To investigate the effects of environment factors on the incidence of BER in soilless culture of Capsicum fructescens var. grossum, a series of experiments were carried out for three years. The comprehensive treatments included air humidity enrichment to 60% or control, slab cooling to 17°C or not, slab moisture controlled by timer or set at 50% and 60%. The results showed that air humidity enrichment buffered the acute change of the air relative humidity and the air temperature in the greenhouse, especially during a hot day. The number of xylem bundles in the fruit parts was significantly increased under the humid conditions, and a greater increase was found in the distal part than that in the basal part, with 14.6% and 11.4% increase compared to the control plants respectively. The Ca levels were significantly higher in the fruits developed under the humid conditions, with 19.9% more in the basal part and 16.6% more in the distal part. However, the K content was quite stable. Slab cooling resulted in a higher oxygen content in the root environment. Air humidity enrichment, slab cooling as well as slab moisture 50% significantly lowered the incidence of BER. And there was cumulative effect of these three treatments on the occurrence of BER in soilless sweet pepper. But no significant differences of the harvested fruit number and the yield were observed among the different treatments.
Li, G., Zhang, W., Benoit, F. and Ceustermans, N. (2004). EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENT FACTORS ON THE GROWTH AND INCIDENCE OF BLOSSOMEND ROT IN SOILLESS CAPSICUM FRUCTESCENS VAR. GROSSUM. Acta Hortic. 633, 381-389
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2004.633.46
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2004.633.46
physiological disorder, air humidity, slab cooling, slab moisture, sweet pepper
English

Acta Horticulturae