Evaluation of Agronomic Performance and Fruit Quality of Four Genotypes of Bell Pepper under Greenhouse Conditions

Abstract

Aims: The objective of this experiment was to evaluate agronomic performance of four pepper genotypes under greenhouse conditions, and to determine the nutritional content of their fruits. Study Design: Was with the completely randomized model with four treatments (genotypes P-01, P-02, P-03 and P-04) and four repetitions each. The comparison of means was by Tukey ≤.05. Place and Duration of Study: Experimental greenhouse "The Bajío” Buenavista, Plant Breeding Department of the Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro. between March 2021 to December 2021. Methodology: Four genotypes of bell pepper were evaluated (P-01, P-02, P-03 and P-04), through the quantification and determination of morphological variables, yield, as well as the physicochemical and nutritional quality of the pepper fruits. Results: Significant statistical differences were identified in the number of fruits per plant, highlighting P-03, P-04 with 13.81 and 13.53 fruits, in fruit length, the P-01 genotype exceeded the rest of the genotypes by more than 16.5 %. For physicochemical evaluations there were no significant differences, however, there was a 10 % increase in firmness and mesocarp thickness in the P-03 and P-04 genotypes. Regarding carotenoids, P-03 had 52 % more than the rest of the genotypes, the P-01 genotype stood out in antioxidant capacity with 6 and 15 % for ABTS and FRAP, while the P-02 genotype stood out in a 26 % for DDPH. The color of the fruits turned out to be yellow red, highlighting P-03 and P-02 in terms of luminosity. Conclusion: Due to the length of the fruits, the genetic potential of the P-03 genotype could be exploited, while due to the number of fruits harvested per plant, the genotypes with the greatest potential are P-02 and P-04. The variables with differences between treatments can lead to the selection of genotypes of better commercial quality and greater fruit set.