Pungency level in fruits of the Padron pepper with different water supply

Padron pepper plants (Capsicum annuum L. var, annuum) were grown using thre e different water supplies to determine the effect of water on several biol ogical parameters of phenylpropanoid metabolism. The soluble phenolics and lignin contents of Padron pepper fruits from control plants were higher tha n those of water-stressed plants. The amount of capsaicinoids (capsaicin an d dihydrocapsaicin) in Padron pepper fruits of water-stressed plants, was h igher than that in control plants, especially with low water treatment. The results of these experiments suggest that environmental conditions, such a s water stress, have a strong effect upon the accumulation of capsaicinoids in Padron pepper fruits, which is the result of competition between biosyn thesis of capsaicinoids and other phenylpropanoid metabolites. (C) 1999 Els evier Science B.V. All rights reserved.