Application of Melatonin and Sodium Nitroprusside to Enhance the Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of Pepper

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Horticulture and Landscaping, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Zabol 98613-35856, Iran

2 Department of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Agriculture, RUDN University, 117198 Moscow, Russia

3 Department of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Agriculture, RUDN University, 117198 Moscow, Russia.

4 Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

Abstract
Heat stress arises when temperatures exceed a critical threshold for a specific duration during various stages of plant development. Consequently, it is crucial to devise effective strategies to overcome this obstacle in crop production. This research investigates the impact of melatonin and sodium nitroprusside on enhancing the heat resistance of Capsicum annuum. The Wonder cultivar of Capsicum annuum underwent various temperature treatments (25, 35 and 40°C) for a duration of 24h subsequent to being sprayed with melatonin and sodium nitroprusside at concentrations of 50 μM and 100 μM. The findings indicated that the application of melatonin during a temperature treatment resulted in an enhanced efficiency of leaf water consumption (16 percent). Additionally, pepper plants exposed to the same temperature treatment and treated with 100 µM melatonin exhibited a significant 13.5 % increase in fruit dry weight compared to the control group. The application of melatonin and sodium nitroprusside resulted in enhanced fruit characteristics and fruit marketability characteristics decreased. When exposed to a temperature of 40°C, there was a reduction of 18.50 % in the fruit's total soluble solids (TSS) compared to the control temperature of 25°C.

Keywords


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Volume 2, Issue 1 - Serial Number 5
Winter 2025
Pages 96-120

  • Receive Date 29 January 2025
  • Revise Date 15 February 2025
  • Accept Date 25 March 2025
  • First Publish Date 30 March 2025
  • Publish Date 30 March 2025