How Water Quality and Quantity Affect Pepper Yield and Postharvest Quality

Abstract

There are gaps in our knowledge of the effects of irrigation water quality and amount on yield and postharvest quality of pepper fruit (Capsicum annuum L.). We studied the effects of water quality and quantity treatments on pepper fruits during subsequent simulated storage and shelf-life. Total yield decreased with increasing water salinity, but export-quality yield was not significantly different in fruits irrigated with water of either 1.6 or 2.8 dS/m, but there was a 30–35% reduction in export-quality yield following use of water at 4.5 dS/m. Water quantity hardly affected either total or export-quality yield. Water quality but not quantity significantly affected fruit weight loss after 14 days at 7 °C plus three days at 20 °C; irrigation with water at 2.8 dS/m gave the least weight loss. Fruits were significantly firmer after irrigation with good-quality water than with salty water. The saltier the water, the higher was the sugar content. Vitamin C content was not affected by water quality or quantity, but water quality significantly affected antioxidant (AOX) content. The highest AOX activity was found with commercial quality water, the lowest with salty water. Pepper yield benefited by irrigation with fresh water (1.6 dS/m) and was not affected by water quantity, but post-storage fruit quality was maintained better after use of moderately-saline water (2.8 dS/m). Thus, irrigation water with salinity not exceeding 2.8 dS/m will not impair postharvest quality, although the yield will be reduced at this salinity level.

Root Development of Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) as Affected by Water Salinity and Sink Strength

“…The bell pepper is the main crop grown in the Arava valley, Israel, an area characterized by extreme desert conditions [19]. Pepper cultivation covers over 2000 ha [26] and 60% are exported, mainly to the EU and Russia [27]. In this dry area, the main (sometimes sole) source of water used by farmers is saline water [28], in spite of its generally negative impact [17].…”

Influence of deficit irrigation in enhancing the Postharvest quality of vegetables

“…Worldwide, successful attempts, have been documented regarding the use of deficit irrigation method to improve irrigation water use efficiency in various crop species. Bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) has been classified as susceptible to water stress, with blossom stage being the most sensitive (Fallik et al, 2019). To obtain high yield, adequate water supply and relatively moist soils are required during the total growing period of bell pepper.…”

“…Bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) are the most important vegetable spice grown in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world because of their color, taste, pungency, flavor and aroma (Fallik et al, 2019;Rocha et al, 2018). They are used as an exhauster of peppery taste and the capsicum fruit are known for their flavor and burning sensation in the mouth (Rocha et al, 2018).…”

Effects of Conventional and Bokashi Hydroponics on Vegetative Growth, Yield and Quality Attributes of Bell Peppers

“…A lobe from ripe fruit was weighed and dried in an air-circulating oven at 80 °C until constant weight was achieved in five replicates. The percentage moisture was calculated as follows (Equation (3)) [ 47 ]: Moisture content (%) = [(Initial weight − final weight)/initial weight] × 100 …”