engleski

Greenhouse pepper quality affected by growing technology and harvest date

Bell pepper cultivars were grown in the greenhouse, in soil and soilless substrate (rockwool), with the aim to determine quality parameters in different periods of harvest. Samples for qualitative analysis consisted of ten technologically matured fruits, were collected periodically in July, August and September. Dry matter and total soluble solids, pH, total acidity, ascorbic acid, total phenols and reducing sugars were determined. Determined quality parameters showed significant differences among the tested factors (cultivars, growing technology and harvest date) and their interactions. The highest values of dry matter content (6.11%) and total soluble solids (4.51 °Brix) were determined in 'Atol' fruits, while the highest ascorbic acid (215.2 mg 100 g-1 fresh weight) and total phenols (26.81 mg kg-1 fresh weight) content was found in 'Menta' and 'Blondy' fruits, respectively. Significantly higher values of all determined parameters were achieved in soil probably as a result of water and nutrient stress, caused by high greenhouse temperatures. Dry matter (5.38-5.69%) and total soluble solids (4.01-4.33 °Brix) increased during the harvest period, while ascorbic acid (145.69- 209.67 mg 100 g-1 fresh weight) and total phenols (20.83-26.58 mg kg-1 fresh weight) content decreased. Despite to recorded significant differences, results indicate that high quality of pepper fruits is achieved both in soil and rockwool. Further researches are needed to define the optimal nutrient solution composition and fertigation dynamics during the growing period of soilless grown pepper, with the aim to produce pepper of high nutritional and health promoting value without yield reduction.

ascorbic acid, Capsicum annuum L., growing substrate, total phenols, total soluble solids

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