Agrotechnology

Abnormalities and abortion in reproductive organs of hot pepper induced by low night temperature

4^th International Conference on Agriculture & Horticulture

July 13-15, 2015 Beijing, China

Neji Tarchoun1, Mahmoud Mhamdi1 and Jaime ATeixeira Da Silva2

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: Agrotechnol

Abstract:

Low night temperature (LNT) adversely affects productivity of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) grown in unheated greenhouses. Flower abnormalities and abortion were investigated in the local hot pepper vs. Beldi and Baklouti grown in a growth chamber at a day/night temperature regime of low (25/10°C) or optimum night temperature (25/20°C as a control). The LNT induced abnormalities in pepper flowers but sensitivity was cultivar dependent; increased ovary diameter in �??Baklouti�?? (40% more than that in �??Beldi�??) was associated with a decrease in style length. Numbers of ovules decreased more than 60% under LNT (more so in �??Baklouti�??). In addition, longitudinal lengths and transverse diameters of ovaries measured by transverse section were affected by cultivar and temperature regime. LNT affected pepper floral structures early: Buds and flower bud stages were more sensitive than flowers at the anthesis stage. The abortion percentage of these structures was less pronounced in �??Beldi�?? (41.5%) than in �??Baklouti�?? (49.6%) after 5 days of the treatment.