Nutrient conductivity effects on sweet pepper plants grown using a nutrient film technique 1. Yield and fruit quality

Sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) plants were grown using Nutrient Film Tec hnique (NFT) system with a nutrient solution of electrical conductivity (EC ) 2 mS cm(-1). Higher conductivity levels of 4, 6, 8, and 10 mS cm(-1) were achieved by adding concentrated KCl solution to the basic nutrient solutio n. Higher ionic strength of the nutrient solution resulted in smaller sized fruit, reduced fruit dry weights, and decreased vegetative growth in terms of lower leaf area and specific leaf area (SLA). It also encouraged accumu lation of more assimilates in shoots than fruits, decreased plant water con sumption, leaf psi, and fruit firmness. It increased leaf stomatal resistan ce, fruit dry matter content, fruit respiration and ethylene production, an d advanced fruit colour change.