YIELD AND FRUIT-QUALITY OF PEPPER (CAPSICUM-ANNUUM L.) IN RESPONSE TOBIOREGULATORS

To test the effectiveness of different bioregulators in enhancing bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) yield and fruit quality, the commercial b ioregulators CCC, NAA, GA(3), and Biozyme(R) were sprayed on plants at flower initiation, followed by two additional applications at 30-day intervals. Biozyme produced a significant increase in total yield but approximate to 40% of the fruit were not marketable. Treatment with NA A produced the highest yield of marketable fruit. Treatments did not a ffect fruit firmness compared to the control. Gibberellic acid increas ed fruit ascorbic acid and citric acid concentrations and Biozyme, GA( 3), and CCC increased fruit soluble solids content. Biozyme treatment increased fruit fructose, sucrose, carotenoid, and lycopene concentrat ion. Treatments had no effect on fruit calcium concentration or pH. Ch emical names used: chlormequat chloride (CCC); naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), gibberellic acid (GA(3)); GA(3) + IAA (indole-3-acetic acid) zeatine + micronutrients (Biozyme(R)).