Action of abiotic elicitors and nutritional solutions on yellow bell pepper using hydroponic system

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the contents of photosynthetic pigments, growth and production of yellow bell pepper under saline nutrient solutions and application of abiotic elicitors in a hydroponic system. The study was conducted in a greenhouse belonging to the Federal University of Campina Grande, Campus of Pombal, PB, Brazil. The cultivation was carried out under an hydroponic system, using a completely randomized design, with split plots. The main plots consisted of three levels of electrical conductivityofthenutrientsolution-ECns(2.1,3.1,and 4.1 dS m-1), while the subplots consisted of abiotic elicitors (control; salicylic acid, proline, and hydrogen peroxide), with three replicates. The concentrations of salicylic acid, proline, and hydrogen peroxide were 3.6 mM, 10 mM, and 40 μM, respectively. Salicylic acid at a concentration of 3.6 mM led to smaller height of yellow bell pepper plants under ECns of 2.1 dS m-1. However, salicylic acid, proline, and hydrogen peroxide at concentrations of 3.6 mM, 10 mM, and 40 μM, respectively, increased the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments and biomass accumulation. The use of 40 μM hydrogen peroxide and 3.6 mM salicylic acid resulted in higher chlorophyll total, carotenoids, and total dry matter contents in yellow bell pepper under ECns of 4.1 dS m-1. Electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution of 3.1 dS m-1 promoted a greater number of fruits in yellow bell pepper.