Effect of Pepper Rootstocks as a Sustainable Alternative to Improve Yield and Fruit Quality

Abstract

Sustainable agriculture is a good alternative for the healthy production of food in the present, without the risk to global agriculture in the future. Therefore, feasible production techniques have been sought, such as the use of rootstocks, which provide tolerance to biotic and/or abiotic stresses, to avoid an excessive use of agrochemicals and damage from pathogens, without affecting crop production. The objective of this study was to analyze the morphological and productive adaptation of three commercial hybrids (Avante, DiCaprio and Ucumari) grafted onto three rootstocks (Fundación, Yaocali and UAN), in order to evaluate and determine their effect on the quality and yield of bell pepper fruit, which has a high demand and great economic potential. Significant differences were found between the rootstocks and hybrids for the commercial classification of the fruits, with Yaocali producing larger fruits, which have the highest value in the export market, surpassing the UAN with 63.9%. The DiCaprio graft outperformed the Ucumari interactions by 231.5%, and the Avante interactions by 142.8%, for the extra-large (XL) fruit production. Based on the results obtained, it is possible to conclude that the grafted plants improved the quantity of the fruits of higher classification. However, they did not have a significant influence on the yield and quality of the fruits, which could be attributed to the lack of compatibility between them; therefore, the vigor of the plant was not expressed. This study showed that the rootstock did not influence the yield and fruit quality components of the grafts.