Yield and fruit quality of pepper plants under sulphate and chloride salinity

Abstract

SummarySweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) plants were grown hydroponically inside a greenhouse, to investigate the effect of salinity (produced by Cl– or SO42– ions) on yield and fruit quality. The electrical conductivity (EC) levels of 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 dS m–1 were achieved by adding concentrated NaCl or Na2SO4 solutions to the basic nutrient solution, maintained at 2 dS m–1. High conductivity treatments strongly decreased fruit yield and fruit size. High blossom-end rot (BER) incidence with increasing EC resulted in fewer marketable fruits. In general, saline treatments decreased the quality of pepper fruits. Although salinity reduced yield and fruit quality, sulphate treatments were less deleterious than chloride treatments, particularly for moderate EC levels.