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The influence of water stress on flowering and fruit production of Capsicum annuum Longum (chilli peppers)

Severe water stress reduced the number of flowers produced by Capsicum annuum var. annuum L. Longum plants, but the timing of flower production was less affected. The use of different plant establishment techniques modified flower production. Bare rooted transplants slowed the rate of flower production in comparison with direct seeded plants or those established from cell tray transplants. Bare rooted transplants delayed the onset of water stress. The capabilities of male and female gametophytes were reduced by water stress, with the female more affected, and the interaction of male and female gametophytes was affected by moderate water stress. Moderate water stress increased the time to fruit set, but affected neither the number nor percentage of fruit set, whereas severe water stress increased the time and reduced the number and percentage. Severe water stress reduced the number and percentage of mature fruit, fruit quality indices and total fruit yield. Moderate water stress reduced the number of seeds per fruit and fruit dry weight, but total fresh weight yield was not significantly affected. The time to fruit set was negatively correlated with the quality indices of mature fruit, whereas the number of seeds was positively correlated with the same. Fertilisation determined the success of seed set, and the rapidity of fruit set. Successful fertilisation can only occur when the pollen tube arrives at a viable ovule. The processes of pollen tube growth and longevity of the ovule are the factors most critically affected by water stress in determining the yield of C. annuum Longum. / Master of Science (Hons)

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/235916
Date January 1993
CreatorsSumardi, University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury, Faculty of Agriculture, Horticulture and Social Ecology, School of Horticulture
Source SetsAustraliasian Digital Theses Program
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
SourceTHESIS_FAHSE_HOR_Sumardi_X.xml

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