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A field experiment was carried out in a private greenhouse farm located in Al-Madaen city / old Diyala Bridge / Western Tuwaitha village (N 44, 29,47-E 36, 33,11) in the agricultural season 2020/2021 to study the effect of micronutrient absorption efficiency and yield of sweet pepper was grown in calcareous soil, Dutch Olombus sweet pepper was planted and used the nutrients (manganese at a concentration of 30 mg.l-1, copper at ca concentration of 25 mg.l -1 . Iron at a concentration of 50 mg.l -1, zinc at a concentration of 60 mg.l-1, The factorial experiment was carried out according to the split-plot design with two methods of nutrients application, one by spraying on shoots foliar application and the other with irrigation water, 16 treatments were used for each method of addition, which consisted of single, double, triple and quadruple addition of the nutrients that used in the experiment, with the control treatment for each method of addition and with three replicates for each treatment, there were 30 additions duration of the experiment, the first edition took place after two weeks of cultivation in the field, the period between each addition was one week, and the macronutrients N, P, K were used in concentrations (425 Kg N ha-1,175kg P ha-1 and 250 kg K ha-1 ), the results of highest cumulative yield was for the Fe+ Zn+ Mn treatment which added by spraying on shoots, which amounted to 159.15 Mg h -1 ., It also showed a highly significant superiority for all treatments of adding micronutrients sprayed on the shoot over the corresponding treatments of adding these nutrients with irrigation water on the efficiency of absorption of micronutrients in the fruits of the sweet pepper plant. The Fe+ Mn treatment gave the highest value for the iron absorption efficiency of 341.3%, while the Zn+ Mn+ Cu treatment gave the highest value for the zinc absorption efficiency of 113.17%. As for the manganese absorption efficiency, the Fe+ Mn treatment gave the highest value of 517.2%. As for the absorption efficiency of copper, the Fe+ Mn+ Cu treatment gave the highest value of 217.2%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweet pepper is a crop that benefits from phytosanitary treatments with low environmental impact, especially the successful control of pests through the introduction of biological control agents in greenhouses. However, predators that naturally occur in these surroundings often enter greenhouses. The precise roles of these natural predators and their interactions with the introduced predatory insects and mites are often unknown. This study investigated the relationships between Nesidiocoris tenuis, which is naturally present, and Amblyseius swirskii and Orius laevigatus, which are two species of generalist predators released for the control of multiple pests. This study was conducted for two years on 13 commercial sweet pepper crops in various types of greenhouses (tunnels and traditional greenhouses) in Sicily. The environmental complexity value (ECV) for each site was estimated based on 18 points detected around the site according to the different habitats that occurred at each coordinate. The results showed that the occurrence of N. tenuis in greenhouses, independently of their typology (tunnel or traditional greenhouse), was mainly promoted by the greater diversification of habitats immediately surrounding the pepper crops (in a circular area with a diameter of 500 mt), with an increase in its density during the crop season. Moreover, N. tenuis–O. laevigatus's co-occurrence in flowers suggested that they were not impacted by each other's presence and that their co-occurrence had a significant effect on pest reduction, although their co-occurrence was density-dependent. As an intraguild predator, N. tenuis competed with O. laevigatus for Frankliniella occidentalis when many predators were present. In addition, N. tenuis also competed with A. swirskii when they both occurred in flowers at a higher density. This study highlights the importance of pepper plant flowers in promoting a higher occurrence of juvenile forms of N. tenuis within flowers. Amblyseius swirskii colonized the plants in 3 weeks, distributing itself almost uniformly over the leaves with a clear control action against not only Bemisia tabaci but also F. occidentalis when present on the flowers. Thus, this concurrent analysis of several commercial pepper sites within the same production area suggests that, even with similar pest control plans, the diverse variability in the presence of natural enemies must be considered when selecting control strategies for pepper crop pests and that N. tenuis, favored by complex surrounding habitats, contributes actively to pest reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein persulfidation is a thiol-based oxidative posttranslational modification (oxiPTM) that involves the modification of susceptible cysteine thiol groups present in peptides and proteins through hydrogen sulfide (H2S), thus affecting their function. Using sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) fruits as a model material at different stages of ripening (immature green and ripe red), endogenous persulfidated proteins (persulfidome) were labeled using the dimedone switch method and identified using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry analysis (LC-MS/MS). A total of 891 persulfidated proteins were found in pepper fruits, either immature green or ripe red. Among these, 370 proteins were exclusively present in green pepper, 237 proteins were exclusively present in red pepper, and 284 proteins were shared between both stages of ripening. A comparative analysis of the pepper persulfidome with that described in Arabidopsis leaves allowed the identification of 25% of common proteins. Among these proteins, glutathione reductase (GR) and leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) were selected to evaluate the effect of persulfidation using an in vitro approach. GR activity was unaffected, whereas LAP activity increased by 3-fold after persulfidation. Furthermore, this effect was reverted through treatment with dithiothreitol (DTT). To our knowledge, this is the first persulfidome described in fruits, which opens new avenues to study H2S metabolism. Additionally, the results obtained lead us to hypothesize that LAP could be involved in glutathione (GSH) recycling in pepper fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glutathione (GSH) has been studied for its potential to enhance stress tolerance in plant systems, but the role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in GSH‐induced water stress tolerance in sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is still under investigation. This study explores how H2S and GSH modulate water stress tolerance in pepper plants, addressing a research gap. The joint effect of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), a donor of H2S, and GSH on water stress tolerance was determined through pre‐treatment with the H2S scavenger 0.1 mM hypotaurine (HT). Pepper seedlings were sprayed with 1.0 mM GSH or GSH + 0.2 mM NaHS once a week, with soil moisture content set at 80% and 40% for full irrigation and water stress conditions for a duration of 2 weeks. The results showed that water stress significantly reduced total plant dry weight, chlorophyll a and b content, Fv/Fm, leaf water potential, and relative water content by 50%, 56%, 33%, 27%, 52%, and 34%, while increasing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), proline, and H2S levels by 152%, 134%, and77%, respectively. Treatment with GSH and NaHS reduced water stress‐induced H2O2 production and improved plant growth, photosynthetic traits, proline, and the activity of L‐cysteine desulfhydrase (L‐DES), leading to the generation of H2S content. GSH reduced NADPH oxidase (NOX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and H2O2 but increased glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities. The interaction of NaHS and GSH led to further reductions in NOX, SOD, and H2O2 values but increased GPX activity. The combined GSH and NaHS treatment increased nitric oxide (NO) production but decreased the activity of S‐nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR), potentially accelerating S‐nitrosylation. Hypotaurine negated the positive impacts of GSH on water stress tolerance by reducing H2S concentration in pepper plants, but this was corrected by the concurrent application of NaHS and GSH + HT. Therefore, water stress tolerance requires H2S. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The absence of an externally-imposed 24 h light/dark cycle in closed plant production systems allows setting the light environmental parameters in unconventional ways. Innovative lighting modes for energy-saving, high-quality, and yield production are widely discussed. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the light/dark cycles of 16/8 h (control) and 24/12 h, 48/24 h, 96/48 h, 120/60 h (unconventional cycles) based on the same total light amount, and continuous lighting (360/0 h) on plant performance of some Solanaceae species. Responses of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) plants to extended light/dark cycles and continuous lighting were studied under controlled climate conditions. Plants with two true leaves were exposed to different light/dark cycles for 15 days. Light intensity was 250 µmol m−2 s−1 PPFD, provided by light-emitting diodes (LEDs). After the experiment, tomato, sweet pepper, and eggplant transplants were planted in a greenhouse and grown under identical conditions of natural photoperiod for the estimation of the after-effect of light treatments on fruit yield. Extended light/dark cycles of 24/12 h, 48/24 h, 96/48 h, 120/60 h, and 360/0 h affected growth, development, photosynthetic pigment content, anthocyanin and flavonoid content, and redox state of plants. Effects varied with plant species and length of light/dark cycles. In some cases, measured parameters improved with increasing light/dark periods despite the same total sum of illumination received by plants. Treatments of tomato and pepper transplants with 48/24 h, 96/48 h, and 120/60 h resulted in higher fruit yield compared to conventional 16/8 h photoperiod. The conclusion was made that extended light/dark cycles can result in increased light use efficiency compared to conventional photoperiod and, therefore, reduced product cost, but for practical application, the effects need to be further explored for individual plant species or even cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the research is to reveal the biological removal, balance and coefficient rates of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium use from soil, organo-mineral fertilizers and microbiological concentrates by tomato and sweet pepper in the conditions of Ararat Plain of Armenia. Field experiments were carried out in 2017-2019, on typical irrigated meadow brown soils in triplicate. It has been established that at tomato yields of 50-75 t ha-1, the biological removal of nitrogen ranges from 110 (without fertilizers) to 178 kg ha-1 (N150P80), P2O5: 61-89, K2O5: 166-289 kg ha-1, and at pepper yields of 23-32 t ha-1, respectively - 55-76, 38-49 and 77-106 kg ha-1. Tomato utilization rates from the soil (unfertilized version) are: N: 118, P2O5: 37, K2O: 8%, and the negative balances are respectively: 107, 67 and 109 kg ha-1, similar data for pepper were recorded at: N: 59, P2O5: 23, K2O: 4% and 52, 44, 20 kg ha-1. From fertilizers, tomato absorbs 27-45% nitrogen, 11-48% P2O5 and 48-72% K2O with negative balances (N: 15-55, P2O5: 14-76, K2O: 34-79 kg ha-1), in poultry litter the balance P2O5 = + 94.2 kg ha-1. For pepper, however, these data were respectively amounted to: N: 6-14, P2O5: 10-15, K2O: 9-20%, and the balances were positive. Microbiological concentrates (Azoto + phosphate Barvar) showed poor effectiveness as compared to organo-mineral fertilizers. It was also found that the lower the amount of a mobile element in the soil, or in the fertilizer dose, the higher its utilization rate and vice versa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Baghdad Science Journal is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The combined yields of Oreochromis mossambicus and fruit crops – tomato, sweet pepper, and cucumber were investigated in a low-cost designed gravel bed aquaponic system to maximize overall yield. This study was modeled according to bioeconomic principles, which analyzed the experimental setup's system design and management, biological characteristics, and economic performance. The study was conducted from March 2018 to February 2019. The growth performance of fish was determined using growth rate parameters, length–weight relationship, and condition factor. The effect of plant density and plant stem pruning was used to determine plant yield. Tomato, sweet pepper, and cucumber were subjected to two plant densities (5 and 8 plants.m2). Tomato and cucumber plants were pruned to one and two stems, while sweet pepper plants were pruned into two and three stems. A complete randomized design in triplicate was used. The FCR of 1.25; 97.5% survival rate; specific growth rate of 1.64%, LWR r2 of 0.945, regression coefficient b of 3.1 and condition factor K of 1.93 were recorded for the fish performance. Total yield, marketable yield, unmarketable yield, fruit mass, and number fruits.m2 were recorded. Tomato and cucumber plants pruned into two stems produced significantly (p <.05) higher total and marketable yields than plants pruned to one stem. Sweet pepper plants pruned into three stems produced significantly (p <.05) higher total and marketable yields than those pruned into two stems. A plant density of 8 plants.m2 produced a higher (p <.05) total and marketable yield of tomatoes, sweet peppers, and cucumbers than 5 plants.m2. Biomass yield in aquaponics can be optimized for higher economic viability by manipulating environmental conditions, adopting strategic culture management practices, and targeting higher market prices through scheduled production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NADPH is an indispensable cofactor in a wide range of physiological processes that is generated by a family of NADPH dehydrogenases, of which the NADP-dependent malic enzyme (NADP-ME) is a member. Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) fruit is a horticultural product consumed worldwide that has great nutritional and economic relevance. Besides the phenotypical changes that pepper fruit undergoes during ripening, there are many associated modifications at transcriptomic, proteome, biochemical and metabolic levels. Nitric oxide (NO) is a recognized signal molecule with regulatory functions in diverse plant processes. To our knowledge, there is very scarce information about the number of genes encoding for NADP-ME in pepper plants and their expression during the ripening of sweet pepper fruit. Using a data mining approach to evaluate the pepper plant genome and fruit transcriptome (RNA-seq), five NADP-ME genes were identified, and four of them, namely CaNADP-ME2 to CaNADP-ME5, were expressed in fruit. The time course expression analysis of these genes during different fruit ripening stages, including green immature (G), breaking point (BP) and red ripe (R), showed that they were differentially modulated. Thus, while CaNADP-ME3 and CaNADP-ME5 were upregulated, CaNADP-ME2 and CaNADP-ME4 were downregulated. Exogenous NO treatment of fruit triggered the downregulation of CaNADP-ME4. We obtained a 50–75% ammonium–sulfate-enriched protein fraction containing CaNADP-ME enzyme activity, and this was assayed via non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The results allow us to identify four isozymes designated from CaNADP-ME I to CaNADP-ME IV. Taken together, the data provide new pieces of information on the CaNADP-ME system with the identification of five CaNADP-ME genes and how the four genes expressed in pepper fruits are modulated during ripening and exogenous NO gas treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The class III peroxidases (PODs) catalyze the oxidation of several substrates coupled to the reduction of H2O2 to water, and play important roles in diverse plant processes. The POD family members have been well-studied in several plant species, but little information is available on sweet pepper fruit physiology. Based on the existing pepper genome, a total of 75 CaPOD genes have been identified, but only 10 genes were found in the fruit transcriptome (RNA-Seq). The time-course expression analysis of these genes showed that two were upregulated during fruit ripening, seven were downregulated, and one gene was unaffected. Furthermore, nitric oxide (NO) treatment triggered the upregulation of two CaPOD genes whereas the others were unaffected. Non-denaturing PAGE and in-gel activity staining allowed identifying four CaPOD isozymes (CaPOD I-CaPOD IV) which were differentially modulated during ripening and by NO. In vitro analyses of green fruit samples with peroxynitrite, NO donors, and reducing agents triggered about 100% inhibition of CaPOD IV. These data support the modulation of POD at gene and activity levels, which is in agreement with the nitro-oxidative metabolism of pepper fruit during ripening, and suggest that POD IV is a target for nitration and reducing events that lead to its inhibition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chrysoperla species include well-known predators of aphids and other soft-bodied arthropods. As such, they are considered important biological control agents of herbivorous pests in agroecosystems where many of green lacewings species occur. Despite the high number of species of the genus Chrysoperla , only a few have been assessed for the predation efficiency of their larvae against pests infesting plants, and even fewer are currently marketed for use in biocontrol practice. Difficulties in species identification within the Chrysoperla carnea complex species in particular has been related to varying success of commercial C. carnea s.l. releases in the field. In this study, we assessed the ability of two Chrysoperla species, Chrysoperla agilis a member of the carnea cryptic species group, and Chrysoperla mutata of the pudica group to consume aphid and mealybug individuals and suppress their populations in sweet pepper plants. We found that third-instar larvae of both species were able to consume a high number of aphids (approximately 120 nymphs per larva) and mealybugs (approximately 105 nymphs per larva) within 24 h. Furthermore, the release of second-instar larvae of both C. agilis and C. mutata was shown to be remarkably efficient in suppressing the pest populations in long-term greenhouse experiments. Aphid populations were suppressed by approximately 98% and mealybugs by 78% as compared to control plants. Our results highlight the predation efficiency and the biocontrol potential of two widespread Chrysoperla species for their use in pest control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small heat shock proteins (sHSPs) are usually upregulated in plants under diverse environmental stresses. These proteins have been suggested to function as molecular chaperones to safeguard other proteins from stress-induced damage. The ripening of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) fruit involves important phenotypic, physiological, and biochemical changes, which have associated endogenous physiological nitro-oxidative stress, but they can also be significantly affected by environmental conditions, such as temperature. Based on the available pepper genome, a total of 41 sHSP genes were identified in this work, and their distributions in the 12 pepper chromosomes were determined. Among these genes, only 19 sHSP genes were found in the transcriptome (RNA-Seq) of sweet pepper fruits reported previously. This study aims to analyze how these 19 sHSP genes present in the transcriptome of sweet pepper fruits are modulated during ripening and after treatment of fruits with nitric oxide (NO) gas. The time-course expression analysis of these genes during fruit ripening showed that 6 genes were upregulated; another 7 genes were downregulated, whereas 6 genes were not significantly affected. Furthermore, NO treatment triggered the upregulation of 7 sHSP genes and the downregulation of 3 sHSP genes, whereas 9 genes were unchanged. These data indicate the diversification of sHSP genes in pepper plants and, considering that sHSPs are important in stress tolerance, the observed changes in sHSP expression support that pepper fruit ripening has an associated process of physiological nitro-oxidative stress, such as it was previously proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was carried out during 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 seasons, at the Experimental Station of the Central Laboratory for Agricultural climate CLAC, A.R.C, Dokki, Giza. This experiment was done under a plastic greenhouse to investigate the growth, fruit quality parameters and yield of sweet pepper plants grown under two different plastic mulch color and three different treatments of Nostoc clacicola fertilizations. The plastic mulch treatments were transparent polyethylene and white polyethylene with 100 microns thickness. Bare soil (uncovered soil) was used as a control. Transparent and white polyethylene was laid after the establishment of the double rows (0.80 m width). Beds were manually installed to correspond to treatments and Nostoc clacicola fertilization treatments: Nostoc clacicola foliar fertilization, Nostoc clacicola soil fertilization and Nostoc clacicola foliar with soil fertilization (spray+ Soil). Vegetative growth (plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves/plants, number of branches/plants, leaves fresh weight and leaf area), as well as fruit yield and quality (total yield, fruit length and fruit diameter), chemical contents (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Leaves dry matter% and Vitamin C) of sweet pepper (Capsicum species) Gedeon F1 Hybrid. Obtained results revealed that using transparent plastic mulch with a combination of Nostoc clacicola foliar and soil fertilization enhanced all vegetative growth measurements and increased all assayed chemical constituents of plant leaves, as well as increasing total fruit yield and components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Understanding and prediction of mercury (Hg) phytoavailability in vegetable–soil systems is essential for controlling food chain contamination and safe vegetable production as Hg-contaminated soils pose a serious threat to human health. In this study, four typical Chinese soils (Heilongjiang, Chongqing, Yunnan, and Jilin) with varied physicochemical properties were spiked with HgCl2 to grow sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) in a pot experiment under greenhouse condition. The chemical fractionation revealed a significant decrease in exchangeable Hg, while an increase in organically bound Hg in the rhizosphere soil (RS) compared to bulk soil (BS). This observation strongly highlights the vital role of organic matter on the rhizospheric Hg transformation irrespective of contamination levels and soil properties. Stepwise multiple linear regression (SMLR) analysis between Hg concentration in plants, Hg fractions in RS and BS, and soil properties showed that Hg in plant parts was significantly influenced by soil total Hg (THg) (R2 = 0.90), soil clay (R2 = 0.99), amorphous manganese oxides (amorphous Mn) (R2 = 0.97), amorphous iron oxides (amorphous Fe) (R2 = 0.70), and available Hg (R2 = 0.97) in BS. Nevertheless, in the case of RS, Hg accumulation in plants was affected by soil THg (R2 = 0.99), amorphous Mn (R2 = 0.97), amorphous Fe oxides (R2 = 0.66), soil pH, and organically bound Hg fraction (R2 = 0.96). Among all the evaluated soils (n = 04), metal (mercury) concentration in terms of plant uptake was reported highest in the Jilin soil. Based on SMLR analysis, the results suggested that the phytoavailability of Hg was mainly determined by THg and metal oxides regardless of the rhizospheric effect. These findings facilitate the estimation of Hg phytoavailability and ecological risk that may exist from Hg-contaminated areas where pepper is the dominant vegetable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipoxygenases (LOXs) catalyze the insertion of molecular oxygen into polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) such as linoleic and linolenic acids, being the first step in the biosynthesis of a large group of biologically active fatty acid (FA)-derived metabolites collectively named oxylipins. LOXs are involved in multiple functions such as the biosynthesis of jasmonic acid (JA) and volatile molecules related to the aroma and flavor production of plant tissues, among others. Using sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) plants as a model, LOX activity was assayed by non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and specific in-gel activity staining. Thus, we identified a total of seven LOX isozymes (I to VII) distributed among the main plant organs (roots, stems, leaves, and fruits). Furthermore, we studied the FA profile and the LOX isozyme pattern in pepper fruits including a sweet variety (Melchor) and three autochthonous Spanish varieties that have different pungency levels (Piquillo, Padrón, and Alegría riojana). It was observed that the number of LOX isozymes increased as the capsaicin content increased in the fruits. On the other hand, a total of eight CaLOX genes were identified in sweet pepper fruits, and their expression was differentially regulated during ripening and by the treatment with nitric oxide (NO) gas. Finally, a deeper analysis of the LOX IV isoenzyme activity in the presence of nitrosocysteine (CysNO, a NO donor) suggests a regulatory mechanism via S-nitrosation. In summary, our data indicate that the different LOX isozymes are differentially regulated by the capsaicin content, fruit ripening, and NO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Ultrafast green microwave-assisted pyrolysis of N,S-CQDs from sweet yellow pepper and thiourea. • The synthesized N,S-CQDs probe was characterized by different techniques and showed good stability and selectivity. • For the first time, the probe worked as a turn-off fluorescent probe for sensitive determination of flutamide in tablets, tap water, and Nile River water. • The sustainable sensor was employed without hazardous organic solvents, derivatizing agents, or sophisticated equipment. • Introduces greenness, new "blueness" and "whiteness" evaluations using ComplexGAPI, AGREE, BAGI, and RGB12. A fast, practical, and non-hazardous switch-off fluorescent nanosensor for the non-fluorescent antiandrogen drug flutamide (FLU) was developed from nitrogen/sulfur co-doping of carbon quantum dots (N,S-CQDs). For the first time, the highly fluorescent N,S-CQDs were generated via one-pot microwave-assisted synthesis in only 3 min using facilely available precursors (sweet yellow pepper and thiourea). The sensor is characterized by a narrow particle size distribution, high doping efficiency (N, 42.05 % and S, 8.28 %), reproducibility, and high emission at 410 nm after excitation at 330 nm. FLU efficiently and quantitatively turned off the fluorescence of the prepared N,S-CQDs via a synergistic combination of static quenching and inner filter effect. The furnished nanosensor showed good linearity (r = 0.9999) for FLU analysis within concentrations ranged from 1.0 to 30.0 µg mL−1 with a detection limit of 0.293 µg mL−1 and quantitation limit of 0.886 µg mL−1. The selectivity of the probe was confirmed in the presence of co-administered drugs, possible co-existing materials, and various metal ions. The N,S-CQDs interestingly showed acceptable cytocompatibility and low toxicity, as revealed by the MTT assay. This feature bestows the N,S-CQDs a practicability as an environmental sensor. Thus, the proposed approach was implemented for FLU analysis in pharmaceutical tablets, tap water, and river water with good percentage recoveries (99.59 ± 1.28%, 99.49 ± 1.75%, and 101.21 ± 1.67%, respectively) and without interferences. Furthermore, the approach was positively assessed with respect to greenness, blueness, and whiteness. The high values of the analytical greenness score AGREE (0.78), the chiefly green ComplexGAPI pictogram, the Blue Applicability Grade Index BAGI (72.5), and the RGB12 (93.6) show the high greenness, blueness, and whiteness features of the method that confirm its minor environmental impact, excellent applicability, and sustainability, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ascomycete fungus Colletotrichum scovillei causes severe anthracnose disease on the fruit of sweet pepper and chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) worldwide. Understanding the biology of C. scovillei would improve the management of fruit anthracnose diseases. The cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway regulates diverse cellular and physiological processes in several foliar fungal pathogens. We investigated the roles of the cAMP signaling pathway in C. scovillei using pharmaceutical and genetic approaches. Exogenous cAMP was found to increase conidiation, appressorium formation, and anthracnose disease development in C. scovillei. CsAc1, CsCap1, and CsPdeH, which regulate the intracellular cAMP level, were deleted by homology-dependent gene replacement. Expectedly, the intracellular cAMP level was significantly decreased in DCsac1 and DCscap1 but increased in DCspdeh. All three deletion mutants exhibited serious defects in multiple fungal developments and pathogenicity, suggesting regulation of the intracellular cAMP level is important for C. scovillei. Notably, exogenous cAMP recovered the defect of DCsac1 in appressorium development, but not penetration, which was further recovered by adding CaCl2. This result suggests that CsAc1 is associated with both the cAMP and Ca2+ signaling pathways in C. scovillei. DCscap1 produced morphologically abnormal conidia with reduced tolerance to thermal stress. DCspdeh was completely defective in conidiation in C. scovillei, unlike other foliar pathogens. Taken together, these results demonstrate the importance of cAMP signaling in anthracnose disease caused by C. scovillei. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum) 'Peperone Cornetto di Pontecorvo' is a prominent local variety at risk of genetic erosion cultivated in the Latium region (Italy). This horn-shaped landrace is recognized for its high digestibility due to the thinness of the skin and has been granted the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) mark since 2010. Nowadays, different accessions are claimed as 'Peperone Cornetto di Pontecorvo' and no assay has been conducted to determine authenticity. In this study, 14 'Peperone Cornetto di Pontecorvo' accessions and 7 similar horn-type peppers were investigated for their morpho-agronomic performance and chemical composition. Digital fruit imaging was implemented as a tool to pinpoint with high accuracy the morphometric parameters of berries. In total, 52 traits were scored. The multivariate analysis revealed different clusters that separated 'Peperone Cornetto di Pontecorvo' from similar types. The weight and size of fruits, as well as the content of soluble solids, were the most discriminating factors among the cultivars studied. Genomic fingerprinting was performed using ddRAD sequencing, yielding a total of a total of 120 million raw sequences and 2196 high-quality SNPs. Both Bayesian and hierarchical clustering analyses confirmed the existence of two different (K = 2) sub-populations separating 'Peperone Cornetto di Pontecorvo' accessions from similar types, thus highlighting a high membership (qi > 0.97) coefficient for accessions cultivated in the Pontecorvo area (Frosinone district). In addition, a direct relationship was found between the genetic diversity of cultivars and their geographical provenance, providing hints on the breeding history of local varieties in diverse rural areas. Genomic markers are revealed as a valuable tool to establish the uniqueness and distinctness of this local variety. This information will be very helpful for recovery, enhancement, and protection from possible imitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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We attempted to detect and assess the pathogenic potentials of the mycoflora causing wilt and root rot in pepper and to screen the antagonistic potentials of two medicinal plant-derived Trichoderma species (Trichoderma atroviride T32 and Trichoderma sp. N97) against the more pathogenic fungal pathogens. The taxonomic characterization revealed that the Fusarium spp. (56.9%), constituted of F. oxysporium f. sp. capsici (47.1%) and F. solani (9.7%) was the most distributed. Axenic soil infestation with the recovered pathogens successfully induced root rot, leaves chlorosis and root rot, resulting in 52% and 68.92% root stunting in sweet and hot pepper, respectively. The bioagents produced up to 64% inhibition of pathogens' mycelia growth in confrontation assay, presumably by antibiosis. The ethyl acetate-based extracts from the Trichoderma spp. (10 mg/ml) completely lysed the Fusarium conidia and chlamidospores. The tested bioagents are no doubt promising biological control candidates against pepper wilt and root rot pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Plant Production is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article, published in the Journal of Plant Pathology, reports the first occurrence of bell pepper endornavirus (BPEV) in pepper plants in Syria and Lebanon. The researchers isolated total RNA from sweet pepper plants exhibiting virus-like symptoms in coastal regions of both countries and conducted RT-PCR tests. The results confirmed the presence of BPEV in 12 symptomatic samples and three asymptomatic samples. DNA sequencing revealed a high degree of similarity between the Syrian and Lebanese BPEV isolates and other known isolates. This study represents the first documentation of BPEV in pepper plants in the Middle East. [Extracted from the article]

There is growing evidence to suggest that epigenetic tags, especially DNA methylation, are critical regulators of fruit ripening. To examine whether this is the case in sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum) we conducted experiments at the transcriptional, epigenetic, and physiological levels. McrBC PCR, bisulfite sequencing, and real-time PCR demonstrated that DNA hypomethylation occurred in the upstream region of the transcription start site of some genes related to pepper ripening at the turning stage, which may be attributed to up-regulation of CaDML2-like and down-regulation of CaMET1-like1 , CaMET1-like2 , CaCMT2-like , and CaCMT4-like. Silencing of CaMET1-like1 by virus-induced gene silencing led to DNA hypomethylation, increased content of soluble solids, and accumulation of carotenoids in the fruit, which was accompanied by changes in expression of genes involved in capsanthin/capsorubin biosynthesis, cell wall degradation, and phytohormone metabolism and signaling. Endogenous ABA increased during fruit ripening, whereas endogenous IAA showed an opposite trend. No ethylene signal was detected during ripening. DNA hypomethylation repressed the expression of auxin and gibberellin biosynthesis genes as well as cytokinin degradation genes, but induced the expression of ABA biosynthesis genes. In mature-green pericarp, exogenous ABA induced expression of CaDML2-like but repressed that of CaCMT4-like. IAA treatment promoted the transcription of CaMET1-like1 and CaCMT3-like. Ethephon significantly up-regulated the expression of CaDML2-like. Treatment with GA3 and 6-BA showed indistinct effects on DNA methylation at the transcriptional level. On the basis of the results, a model is proposed that suggests a high likelihood of a role for DNA methylation in the regulation of ripening in the non-climacteric pepper fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bell pepper or sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L. var. grossum) is highly susceptible to high-temperature stress (HT). Hence, search for donor across C. annuum for HT tolerance was undertaken by following Temperature Induction Response (TIR) technique. The induction and challenging temperature requirement for TIR screening were standardized in 1 d-old Capsicum seedlings. Forty Capsicum genotypes were evaluated based on the recovery growth (RG) and per cent reduction in recovery growth (%RRG) of the seedlings. The genotypes Punjab Guchhedar and Ajeet 1 were found to have maximum cellular level tolerance (CLT) to HT with higher RG and lower %RRG compared to the non-induced seedlings and HDC 75 was found to have minimum CLT. In order to confirm the findings, another experiment was conducted under managed stress and control conditions. Absolute yield obtained from both the environments were used to calculate stress tolerance indices such as heat susceptibility index, tolerance index, stress tolerance index, mean productivity, geometric mean productivity and yield stability index. Based on these tolerance indices, Punjab Guchhedar and Ajeet 1 were found to be highly tolerant and HDC 75 as highly susceptible. Further, the combined result of TIR and tolerance indices also gave the same result confirming Punjab Guchhedar and Ajeet 1 can be used as a donor for the future breeding programme aimed at evolving high-temperature-tolerant bell pepper cultivars. The result also confirms the fitness of TIR technique to screen Capsicum genotypes for tolerance to HT based on variability in acquired thermotolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ribosomal RNA-depleted total RNAs from a sweet pepper plant (Capsicum annuum, labelled as N65) grown in western Slovakia and showing severe virus-like symptoms (chlorosis, mottling and deformation of leaf lamina) were subjected to high-throughput sequencing (HTS) on an Illumina MiSeq platform. The de novo assembly of ca. 5.5 million reads, followed by mapping to the reference sequences, revealed the coinfection of pepper by several viruses; i.e., cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), watermelon mosaic virus (WMV), pepper cryptic virus 2 (PCV2) and bell pepper endornavirus (BPEV). A complete polyprotein-coding genomic sequence (14.6 kb) of BPEV isolate N65 was determined. A comparison of BPEV-N65 sequences with BPEV genomes available in GenBank showed 86.1% to 98.6% identity at the nucleotide level. The close phylogenetic relationship with isolates from India and China resulted in their distinct grouping compared to the other BPEV isolates. Further analysis has revealed the presence of BPEV in sweet or chili peppers obtained from various sources and locations in Slovakia (plants grown in gardens, greenhouse or retail shop). Additionally, the partial sequencing of two genomic portions from 15 BPEV isolates revealed that the Slovak isolates segregated into two molecular clusters, indicating a genetically distinct population (mean inter-group nucleotide divergence reaching 12.7% and 14.5%, respectively, based on the genomic region targeted). Due to the mix infections of BPEV-positive peppers by potato virus Y (PVY) and/or CMV, the potential role of individual viruses in the observed symptomatology could not be determined. This is the first evidence and characterization of BPEV from the central European region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) has been present in Argentina since 1938 and had limited sweet pepper and tomato production until the introduction of resistant cultivars bearing Tsw and Sw‐5b genes. However, the wide use of TSWV‐resistant pepper plants in La Plata Horticultural Belt (LPHB) triggered the emergence of resistance‐breaking isolates (RB), increasing the economic impact of TSWV in pepper. This work characterized 11 natural RB pepper isolates from LPHB that have overcome the Tsw resistance gene in Capsicum sp. but are unable to break the Sw‐5b‐mediated resistance in tomato. Phylogenetic analysis of the N gene showed that the LPHB isolates are most closely related to isolates from Asia, indicating that Argentine TSWV isolates might have emerged from the Asian continent. The NSs sequence analysis reinforces the hypothesis that the appearance of an RB phenotype is a consequence of a number of different single amino acid substitutions spread along the NSs gene that lead to multiple independent evolutionary events. These results provide information on the current situation of the tospovirus–pepper/tomato pathosystems in LPHB, which represents a fundamental prerequisite to include these RB isolates in future screening programmes in order to select new and durable sources of resistance to TSWV in pepper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, packaging in the modified atmosphere is used as one of the newest types of packaging to increase the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. Sweet peppers, as a rich source of vitamin C, are one of the most perishable vegetables that require proper transportation and care for shelf life and quality. The shelf life of pepper is limited due to the rapid loss of water during long storage, and the sensitivity to frostbite and common spoilage by Botrytis and Alternaria microorganisms. Therefore, by optimizing the durability of this product, it can be possible to lower a large amount of its waste. In this study, the effect of packaging in a modified atmosphere with three gas combinations containing a combination of conventional gas (which contains 21% oxygen, 0.03% carbon dioxide and 78% nitrogen), the primary gas composition consists of 10% oxygen, 5% carbon dioxide And 85% nitrogen and secondary gas composition consisting of 5% oxygen, 10% carbon dioxide and 85% nitrogen in polyethylene film and maintaining at 8 °C and 95% relative humidity on some properties of belly pepper was evaluated. The effects of these treatments were evaluated in a completely randomized design with factorial experiment and three replications on traits such as weight loss, texture hardness, pH and solids content during 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 days after harvest. The results showed that, after each storage period, 5% oxygen treated and 10% carbon dioxide treated treatments were better suited for maintaining quality characteristics for pepper, due to more carbon dioxide and lower respiration, and generally keeping the product in packaging with Modified atmosphere, preserving quality and prolonging its shelf-life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ripening is a complex physiological process that involves changes in reactive nitrogen and oxygen species that govern the shelf-life and quality of fruits. Nitric oxide (NO)-dependent changes in the sweet pepper fruit transcriptome were determined by treating fruits at the initial breaking point stage with NO gas. Fruits were also harvested at the immature (green) and ripe (red) stages. Fruit ripening in the absence of NO resulted in changes in the abundance of 8805 transcripts whose function could be identified. Among these, functional clusters associated with reactive oxygen/nitrogen species and lipid metabolism were significantly modified. NO treatment resulted in the differential expression of 498 genes framed within these functional categories. Biochemical analysis revealed that NO treatment resulted in changes in fatty acid profiling, glutathione and proline contents, and the extent of lipid peroxidation, as well as increases in the activity of ascorbate peroxidase and lipoxygenase. These data provide supporting evidence for the crucial role of NO in the ripening of pepper fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Like nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) has been recognized as a new gasotransmitter which plays an important role as a signaling molecule in many physiological processes in higher plants. Although fruit ripening is a complex process associated with the metabolism of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrogen oxygen species (RNS), little is known about the potential involvement of endogenous H 2 S. Using sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) as a model non-climacteric fruit during the green and red ripening stages, we studied endogenous H 2 S content and cytosolic l -cysteine desulfhydrase (L-DES) activity which increased by 14% and 28%, respectively, in red pepper fruits. NADPH is a redox compound and key cofactor required for cell growth, proliferation and detoxification. We studied the NADPH-regenerating enzyme, NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase (NADP-ICDH), whose activity decreased by 34% during ripening. To gain a better understanding of its potential regulation by H 2 S, we obtained a 50–75% ammonium sulfate-enriched protein fraction containing the NADP-ICDH protein; with the aid of in vitro assays in the presence of H 2 S, we observed that 2 and 10 mM NaHS used as H 2 S donors resulted in a decrease of up to 36% and 45%, respectively, in NADP-ICDH activity, which was unaffected by reduced glutathione (GSH). On the other hand, peroxynitrite (ONOO−), S -nitrosocyteine (CysNO) and DETA-NONOate, with the last two acting as NO donors, also inhibited NADP-ICDH activity. In silico analysis of the tertiary structure of sweet pepper NADP-ICDH activity (UniProtKB ID A0A2G2Y555) suggests that residues Cys133 and Tyr450 are the most likely potential targets for S -nitrosation and nitration, respectively. Taken together, the data reveal that the increase in the H 2 S production capacity of red fruits is due to higher L-DES activity during non-climacteric pepper fruit ripening. In vitro assays appear to show that H 2 S inhibits NADP-ICDH activity, thus suggesting that this enzyme may be regulated by persulfidation, as well as by S -nitrosation and nitration. NO and H 2 S may therefore regulate NADPH production and consequently cellular redox status during pepper fruit ripening. Graphical abstract Outline of endogenous H 2 S and NO during pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) fruit ripening. Image 1 Highlights • Hydrogen sulfide is up-regulated during sweet pepper fruit ripening. • The NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH) activity is down regulated during ripening. • The NADP-ICDH is regulated by persulfidation, as well as by S-nitrosation and nitration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Cultivated pepper is a rich source of diverse bioactive compounds with potential properties related to the prevention of major degenerative and proliferative diseases. In the present study, 15 sweet pepper varieties, highly appreciated on the Italian market, were assessed for variation in the content of ascorbic acid, isoprenoids and flavonoids, as well as morpho‐agronomic performances and molecular diversity. RESULTS: The collection under study showed a wide variability for all traits considered. Traditional cultivars, although less productive, were characterized by a high content of β‐carotene and ascorbic acid, reaching maximum concentrations of 230.5 mg kg–1 fresh weight (fw) and 2750 mg kg–1 fw, respectively. Strong correlations were demonstrated between neoxanthin and luteolins. Fruit weight was positively correlated with α‐tocopherol content and negatively correlated with luteolins content. The genotyping by sequencing platform allowed the identification of 1833 single nucleotide polymorphism, which better defined the relationships among cultivars, based on provenance and improvement rate. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides an overview of the variability in the expression of fruit nutritional traits in a collection of horn‐shaped pepper cultivars, integrating agronomic and molecular data. The impact for breeding and consumers is discussed. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Plant Production is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The applicability of the FAO AquaCrop model to simulate sweet pepper growth with and without plastic film mulching under different water supply and weather conditions is assessed. Pepper yield and biomass are simulated using the results of a two-year (2012 and 2013) field experiment conducted in Stara Pazova and a three-year (2011, 2012 and 2013) field experiment in Sombor, both in Serbia. The year 2012 was much warmer and drier than the two other years. At the Stara Pazova site, black plastic mulch was used and three different irrigation treatments applied: 1) full irrigation (F), at 100% of ETc (crop evapotranspiration); 2) deficit irrigation (R), at 80% of ETc; and 3) deficit irrigation (S), at 70% of ETc. In Sombor, only full irrigation (F*) was applied and there was no mulching. Two different cultivars (cv. Elephant Ear and Mišina) were grown in Stara Pazova and Sombor, respectively. The model was calibrated using data from the F-treatment in 2012 at Stara Pazova and F*-treatment in 2011 at Sombor, given that the highest yields were recorded in these two cases. The difference between the measured and simulated values was 2.9% and 7.5% for yield and 7.6% and −14.3% for biomass, in Stara Pazova and Sombor, respectively. The calibration results showed a very good agreement between the measured and simulated values. The deviation of simulated yields from the measured values in the validation data set depended on weather and soil conditions. Namely, the match was very good in the case of well-watered pepper grown without plastic film mulching in the average year at Sombor (1.2%), and was the worst in the extremely warm year (−45.2%). Similar differences were noted in biomass. Based on statistical indicators, the coefficient of determination (R 2 ) of pepper yield at Stara Pazova and Sombor was 0.61 and 1.00 and the Willmott index of agreement (d), 0.79 and 0.89, respectively. Thus the AquaCrop model simulates the yield of pepper grown with and without plastic film mulching quite well. Biomass simulations resulted in slightly lower values of R 2 and d. The AquaCrop model can also predict the amount of water needed for pepper grown with and without black plastic mulch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Plant Production is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Landraces are an important resource for crop breeding, due to their resilience and content of quality traits. However, genetic and phenotypic variability needs to be carefully characterized for proper direct and indirect use. In the present study, a multidisciplinary approach was carried out to assess the Italian sweet pepper landrace ‘Friariello’. A total of 18 traditional accessions were compared with five hybrids and two ecotypes with similar fruit typology. Genetic and morpho-agronomic characterization allowed us to distinguish five different group types of ‘Friariello’. Accessions showing two/three lobes at the blossom end of the fruit were found to be the most productive, whereas the genotypes showing one/two lobes at the blossom end were the most homogeneous. A total of 167 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were identified in the collection analysed. Moreover, of the 37 targeted VOCs, 29 showed significant differences in content among the pepper genotypes studied. Of such VOCs related to main flavours described for pepper in the literature, ten were found to be the major determinants of variability among the derived ‘Friariello’ groups. A slightly negative, albeit not significant, correlation was observed between ascorbic acid (AsA) content and agronomic traits, suggesting a better quality for less productive accessions, but also the possibility to improve yield without significantly reducing the AsA levels. The approach used allowed us to define how the different typologies can be used for different breeding purposes, integrating the peculiar properties in order to establish a desirable landrace ideotype. Furthermore, valuable sources for improving quality traits in pepper breeding were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The aim of the experiment was to determine the changes in the contents of bioactive compounds and antioxidant/antiradical activity in fresh-cut fruits of sweet pepper cv. 'Blondy F1' and 'Yecla F1', depending on the postharvest treatment. Treatment with hot water and short-term storage decreased the content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant/antiradical activity of fruit peppers. The treatment with water at 55 °C for 12 sec. of fresh-cut fruits caused lower losses in content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant/antiradical activities than the treatment with water at 45 °C for 10 min. There was a significant correlation between the content of total polyphenols and antioxidant and antiradical activity of pepper fruits depending on the cultivar and the experimental season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Minufiya Journal of Agricultural Research is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)