Photosynthesis and water use efficiency relations to yield of ten pepper varieties (capsicum annuum l.)

Abstract

Search for new pepper variety with high yields, along with tools for prediction of pepper yield is constantly on the way. The link between net photosynthesis measured at specific phase. of pepper development and crop yield is not well defined. There are still arguments whether increasing leaf photosynthesis during fruit ripening increases plant yields in optimal growth conditions. Ten pepper varieties were grown in a plastic greenhouse and at outdoor field area, in order to determine if there are positive correlations of photosynthetic performance, leaf concentration of chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids, transpiration rates and water use efficiency with pepper fruit yield. Almost all pepper varieties grown in the greenhouse had higher fruit weight per hectare. Although some variability has been determined among pepper varieties, crop yield was not significantly correlated with photosynthetic performance, or water usage in pepper plants, during ripening.