Bell pepper germination and seedling’s parameters under different osmotic potentials

Abstract

Bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is the third most cultivated Solanaceae species in Brazil and is highly sensitive to osmotic stresses. The increasing soil salinity is a frequent problem that hinders the plant absorption of water and nutrients by the roots, limiting agricultural production. Therefore, this study’s objectives were to evaluate the germination, vigor, and development of bell pepper commercial cultivars after NaCl treatments to simulate osmotic stress. Five cultivars (Yolo wonder, SF134 yellow, Marta, All big red, Cascadura) were submitted to four osmotic potentials (salt stresses of 0, -0.3, -0.6, -0.9 MPa) in a factorial scheme of 5×4, with four repetitions. The results indicated that the bell pepper germination is highly affected according to the presence of NaCl. The bell pepper germination supports NaCl concentrations equal to or higher than -0.3 MPa osmotic potential. Significant reductions in germination, germination speed index, seedling length, and dry mass as the salinity increases - osmotic potential decrease. The yellow bell pepper ‘SF134’ presented similar germination down to -0.6 MPa and can be cultivated in regions with salinity problems. The green bell pepper ‘Cascadura’ presented great germination, germination speed index and dry mass, and superior seedling length, being indicated for cultivation in more diverse environments.

Selenium Seed Priming and Biostimulation Influence the Seed Germination and Seedling Morphology of Jalapeño (Capsicum annuum L.)

“…Daily and cumulative germination speed index (GSI) were computed with Equation (3) from the germination percent (GP) of normal seedlings at the i-day after sowing [34,50,54,55].…”

“…On the other hand, fertilizer salts also have been applied to crops in the germination media, that is, by moistening the filter paper with treatment solutions [33][34][35][36]. In relation to Se solutions applied to the germination media of pepper seed, Leon-Morales et al [37] moistened filter paper containing pepper seeds with 8 mL of Na 2 SeO 3 and Na 2 SeO 4 solutions ranging from 1.25 to 5 µM and distilled water for the control, and Hassan et al [38] added Se between 10 and 50 mg L −1 in the soil per potted pepper plant.…”