The effect of salinity on some growth and yield parameters of three pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) varieties grown in Tunisia. (Special Issue: Tunisian fruit and vegetables.)

摘要

Pepper is one of the main vegetable crops grown and consumed in Tunisia and is therefore of economic importance. Interest in the selection of salt-tolerant crop is increasing due to the decrease of water irrigation quality worldwide. Therefore, some growth and yield parameters of three pepper cultivars 'Baker', 'Marconi' and 'Jrid' commonly grown in Tunisia and with different pungency were determined under three different salinity levels (S1=35, S2=70 and S3=120 mM of NaCl) with regard to a control irrigated with tap water. All the growth and yield parameters varied significantly among the studied salinity levels. No statistical differences were found in stem thickness, plant height, shoot fresh weight and root fresh weight under all the studied salinity levels and for all the studied pepper cultivars. Under (S3) salinity level, yield was decreased by 75% in 'Jrid', by 81% in 'Baker' and by 100% in 'Marconi'. The blossom-end rot increases with increasing salinity levels in 'Baker' and 'Marconi' however no rotted fruit were observed in 'Jrid' under all the studied salinity levels. This study has demonstrated the variability in the responses of some pepper cultivars commonly grown in Tunisia to different salinity levels. This result can help the growers to choose such varieties in salt-rich fields or when only saline water should be used for crop irrigation. Nevertheless, there is a need to focus on the effect of these salinity levels on the nutrient, non nutrient, anti-nutrient compounds accumulation and the antioxidant activity in such cultivars.