READING EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENT ON FLOWERING AND FRUIT SET IN SWEET PEPPER {Capsicum annuum L.)
READING EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENT ON FLOWERING AND FRUIT SET IN SWEET PEPPER {Capsicum annuum L.)
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Date
1980-09
Authors
JOSEPH, DURO OLAREWAJU
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Abstract
A study was made of factors affecting flowering and fruit
set in pepper plants grown from seed. The duration of the
initial vegetative phase of growth was prolonged when radiant
exposures were low, as in the winter or when shading was used
in the summer. The change from vegetative to reproductive
development was also delayed by a reduction in night temperatures
from 20°C to 13°C. It is suggested that radiant exposure and
night temperature affected flower initiation through effects on
the rate of growth and development of the whole plant rather
than on processes specific to the control of flowering.
In experiments designed to examine responses to long and
short photoperiods, results varied with the source of
illumination used in providing the long-day treatments.
Extension of an 8h day to 18h by the use of low intensity
illumination from tungsten-filament lamps delayed flower
initiation by a few days but when warm-white fluorescent lamps
were used to extend the day the time to flower initiation was
unaffected.
A proportion of the flowers initiated stopped growing in
the bud stage and aborted. Conditions found to be conducive
to flower abortion were low radiant exposures, high night
temperatures, long-day treatments produced by the use of tungsten
filament lamps and infrequent watering.
Pollination and fertilization were not prerequisites for fruit set since parthenocarpic fruit development could
occur. The incidence of parthenocarpy was high when night
temperatures were low. Low radiant exposures, high night
temperatures and infrequent watering were unfavourable to
fruit set and led to increases in the proportion of flowers
that were shed after opening. Under some conditions the
proportion of open flowers that set fruits could be increased
by pruning the plants to reduce the number of leading shoots
or by spraying with B-naphthoxyacetic acid.
Description
Thesis submitted for the degree of
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
in the
Department of Agriculture and Horticulture
September 1980
Keywords
UNIVERSITY OF READING ,, FLOWERING,, FRUIT SET,, Capsicum annuum