Abscission of reproductive structures in pepper: causes, mechanisms and control

Abscission of reproductive structures in pepper: causes, mechanisms and control

Shanhua, Tainan AVRDC Taiwan

1989

p.150-165

SB349.A85

The most frequent causes of abscission of pepper flowers, fruit and flower buds are environmental factors such as heat, drought or low light conditions, diseases or insect pests. When at least some of these stresses are present, abscission appears to be mediated by ethylene generated within the reproductive tissue. Although the synthetic auxin NAA is very effective in preventing abscission of disbudded pedicels, the same compound does not prevent abscission of shade-stressed buds. This indicates the involvement of other compounds in growth which help prevent abscission under stress. When stress is imposed on pepper plants during reproductive growth, the susceptibility of reproductive structures varies with age of tissue: from open flowers (most susceptible), buds, young fruit to old fruit (most resistant). The best approach to abscission control is the development of resistant cultivars. Screening methods that identify genotypes resistant to stress-induced abscission have been developed. Of these, the use of ethephon sprays to mimic the ethylene generated by stress has proven effective and easy to apply. [AS]

Tomato and pepper production in the tropics

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