Agrotechnology

Assessment of abnormalities 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, Jaime A Teixeira da Silva2, M�hamdi Mahmoud1 and Abdelaziz Mougou3

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: Agrotechnol

Abstract:

Low night temperature (LNT) adversely affects productivity of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) grown in unheated greenhouses. Flower abnormalities were investigated in the local hot pepper cvs. Beldi and Baklouti grown in a growth chamber at a day/ night temperature regime of low (25/10oC, LNT) or optimum night temperature (ONT; 25/20oC, as a control). The LNT induced abnormalities in pepper flowers but 15sensitivity 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. Fruit set percentage was lowest and fruit 20 characteristics were poorest when flowers were selfpollinated under LNT, although artificial pollination with pollen from ONT increased fruit set. More seed per fruit, and heavier and longer fruit, occurred when flowers were pollinated with pollen from ONT than when pollen from LNT was used. Where LNTs have negatively influenced yield, pepper growers need to consider alternative growth and production strategies to reduce 25 damage to flowers.