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The first record of the pepper fruit fly, Atherigona orientalis Schiner, 1868, in mainland France is reported in this paper. Larvae were found in 2022 in fruits of Capsicum annuum and adults were reared in 2023 from Passiflora caerulea fruits in two localities of southern France. This species has pantropical distribution and is characterized by sarco‐saprophagous habits, but in some conditions can act as a primary pest of Solanaceae crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human micronutrient dietary deficiency remains an enormous global problem and probably accounts for the cause of many chronic health conditions and diseases. Above two (2) billion individuals on the planet today have been estimated to be deficient in major minerals and vitamins, predominantly zinc, iodine, vitamin A, and iron primarily due to inadequate dietary intake. The eradication of deficiencies in micronutrient on a sustainable basis will be conceivable only when diets of vulnerable populace provide all required nutrients in adequate amounts. Among the numerous approaches toward eradicating human dietary deficiency, feeding on a wide range of foods, especially vegetables that have an array of micronutrients, is still perceived as the best sustainable solution. The universal consumption of chili peppers (Capsicum annuum), known for their high nutritional content (which includes a good range of vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and dietary fiber), may play a role in decreasing human micronutrient deficiencies. Significant portions of recommended daily nutrients could be supplied by the incorporation of nutrient‐rich chili pepper into human diets which could help in combating nutrient deficiencies. This present review, therefore, gives an overview of the universal occurrence of micronutrient deficiency. It also discusses approaches that have been used to tackle the situation while stressing the potentials of chili pepper as a promising vegetable which could be utilized in alleviating human micronutrient dietary deficiencies. For all available information provided, research databases (Science direct, Academic journals, PubMed, and Google Scholar) were searched independently using keyword search strategy. Titles and abstracts were examined initially, and full papers were retrieved if studies met the inclusion criteria. Human micronutrient dietary deficiency remains an enormous global problem and probably accounts for the cause of many chronic health conditions and diseases. The eradication of deficiencies in micronutrient on a sustainable basis will be conceivable only when diets of vulnerable populace provide all required nutrients in adequate amounts. Among the numerous approaches towards eradicating human dietary deficiency, feeding on a wide range of foods, especially vegetables that have an array of micronutrients, is still perceived as the best sustainable solution. The universal consumption of chili peppers (Capsicum annuum), known for their high nutritional content (which includes a good range of vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and dietary fiber) may play a role in decreasing human micronutrient deficiencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bell pepper fruits (Capsicum annuum L.) are prone to both physiological and pathological deterioration following harvest, primarily due to their high metabolic activity and water content. The storage of bell peppers presents several challenges, including weight loss, softening, alterations in fruit metabolites and color, increased decay, and a decline in marketability. The application of edible coatings (ECs) is one of the environmentally friendly technologies that improves many post‐harvest quantitative and qualitative characteristics of products. This research investigated the impact of different levels of gum tragacanth (GT) coating (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2%) on the physiological and biochemical traits of stored bell pepper fruits (BPFs) (8 ± 1°C, 90–95% RH) for 28 days. The results showed the positive effect of coating treatments with higher concentrations of GT, up to 1%. Increasing the concentration of GT to 2% decreased the marketability and quality characteristics of fruits compared to 1% GT. After storage, the physiological weight loss of the fruits treated with 1% GT (10.46%) was lower than that of the uncoated fruits (18.92%). Furthermore, the coated fruits (1% GT) had more firmness, total phenol content, ascorbic acid, and titratable acidity content than uncoated fruits during storage. At the end of storage, the coated BPFs with 1% GT showed higher SOD (97.02 U g−1), CAT (24.38 U g−1) and POD (0.11 U g−1) activities and antioxidant capacity (81.74%) as compared to other treatments. Total soluble solids, total carbohydrates, total carotenoids, pH, malondialdehyde, and electrolyte leakage content increased in coated fruit during storage but were significantly lower than in uncoated fruits. Moreover, the samples coated with GT (1%) maintained good marketability (about 75%), while the marketability of the control (about 40%) was unacceptable. The study shows that GT (1%) coating can be a promising novel treatment option for increasing the storage quality of BPFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic review addresses the difficulties of cultivating under variable environmental conditions and explores the growing importance of chili peppers (Capsicum annum L.) in worldwide agriculture. It emphasizes the use of enclosed growing systems as a workable way to increase crop yields of chilies. The needs of various chilies in these systems highlighting the significance of sustainability and resource efficiency for the best possible yield, quality, and financial sustainability. Shading is a crucial tactic to mitigate the adverse effects of sunlight and high temperatures, supporting healthier plants and regular fruit development. The study also looks into greenhouse cultivation to shelter plants from the weather and achieve higher yields, better development rates, and better‐quality fruit. This thorough analysis fills a research gap, offers helpful recommendations for maximizing production, and is an invaluable tool for practitioners and scholars studying enclosed chili agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glutathione (GSH) has been studied for its potential to enhance stress tolerance in plant systems, but the role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in GSH‐induced water stress tolerance in sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is still under investigation. This study explores how H2S and GSH modulate water stress tolerance in pepper plants, addressing a research gap. The joint effect of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), a donor of H2S, and GSH on water stress tolerance was determined through pre‐treatment with the H2S scavenger 0.1 mM hypotaurine (HT). Pepper seedlings were sprayed with 1.0 mM GSH or GSH + 0.2 mM NaHS once a week, with soil moisture content set at 80% and 40% for full irrigation and water stress conditions for a duration of 2 weeks. The results showed that water stress significantly reduced total plant dry weight, chlorophyll a and b content, Fv/Fm, leaf water potential, and relative water content by 50%, 56%, 33%, 27%, 52%, and 34%, while increasing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), proline, and H2S levels by 152%, 134%, and77%, respectively. Treatment with GSH and NaHS reduced water stress‐induced H2O2 production and improved plant growth, photosynthetic traits, proline, and the activity of L‐cysteine desulfhydrase (L‐DES), leading to the generation of H2S content. GSH reduced NADPH oxidase (NOX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and H2O2 but increased glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities. The interaction of NaHS and GSH led to further reductions in NOX, SOD, and H2O2 values but increased GPX activity. The combined GSH and NaHS treatment increased nitric oxide (NO) production but decreased the activity of S‐nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR), potentially accelerating S‐nitrosylation. Hypotaurine negated the positive impacts of GSH on water stress tolerance by reducing H2S concentration in pepper plants, but this was corrected by the concurrent application of NaHS and GSH + HT. Therefore, water stress tolerance requires H2S. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND During the last few years, a growing number of antimicrobial peptides have been isolated from plants and particularly from seeds. Recent results from our laboratory have shown the purification of a new trypsin inhibitor, named CaTI, from chilli pepper ( Capsicum annuum L.) seeds. This study aims to evaluate the antifungal activity and mechanism of action of CaTI on phytopathogenic fungi and detect the presence of protease inhibitors in other species of this genus. RESULTS Our results show that CaTI can inhibit the growth of the phytopathogenic fungi Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and C. lindemuthianum. CaTI can also permeabilize the membrane of all tested fungi. When testing the inhibitor on its ability to induce reactive oxygen species, an induction of reactive oxygen species ( ROS) and nitric oxide ( NO) particularly in Fusarium species was observed. Using CaTI coupled to fluorescein isothiocyanate ( FITC), it was possible to determine the presence of the inhibitor inside the hyphae of the Fusarium oxysporum fungus. The search for protease inhibitors in other Capsicum species revealed their presence in all tested species. CONCLUSION This paper shows the antifungal activity of protease inhibitors such as CaTI against phytopathogenic fungi. Antimicrobial peptides, among which the trypsin protease inhibitor family stands out, are present in different species of the genus Capsicum and are part of the chemical arsenal that plants use to defend themselves against pathogens. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed response to priming with 24‐epibrassinolide (24‐EpiBL) has been studied to investigate the effects on speed of germination, often leading to improved stand establishment. However, knowledge about the response of primed seeds treated with 24‐EpiBL during storage remains insufficient. This research was performed to verify the effects of bell pepper seed priming (Capsicum annuum L.) with 24‐EpiBL after storage. Two cultivars (AF‐6 and AF‐7) were used, represented respectively by three and four seed lots of different physiological potential. All lots were stored for 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 mo after priming with 24‐EpiBL. Seeds were evaluated for germination and vigor (germination first count; saturated salt accelerated aging, and using the Seed Vigor Imaging System); unprimed seeds represented the control. Priming with 24‐EpiBL promoted positive effects on germination speed, seed tolerance to heat stress, and initial development of seedlings with responses being more evident in lower vigor seed lots. The beneficial effects of priming with 24‐EpiBL in bell pepper seeds is maintained after storage, but may gradually decrease after longer storage period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is an economically important crop containing capsaicinoids in the seed and placenta, which has various culinary, medical, and industrial applications. Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins are a large group of hydrophilic proteins participating in the plant stress response and seed development. However, to date there have been no genome‐wide analyses of the LEA gene family in pepper. In the present study, 82 LEA genes were identified in the C. annuum genome and classified into nine subfamilies. Most CaLEA genes contain few introns (≤ 2) and are unevenly distributed across 10 chromosomes. Eight pairs of tandem duplication genes and two pairs of segmental duplication genes were identified in the LEA gene family; these duplicated genes were highly conserved and may have performed similar functions during evolution. Expression profile analysis indicated that CaLEA genes exhibited different tissue expression patterns, especially during embryonic development and stress response, particularly in cold stress. Three out of five CaLEA genes showed induced expression upon cold treatment. In summary, we have comprehensively reviewed the LEA gene family in pepper, offering a new perspective on the evolution of this family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, such as Funneliformis mosseae, are essential components of the soil microbiome that can facilitate plant growth and enhance abiotic and biotic stress resistances. However, the mechanisms via which F. mosseae inoculation influences Capsicum annuum L. plant growth and fruit yield remain unclear. Here, we conducted pot experiments to investigate bacterial and fungal community structures in the rhizosphere of C. annuum plants inoculated with F. mosseae based on 16S ribosomal RNA and internal transcribed spacer gene sequencing. The α‐diversity of bacteria increased significantly following F. mosseae inoculation (p < 0.01); however, there was no significant difference in fungal diversity indices between treatments. The relative abundances of major bacterial phyla, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Gemmatimonadetes, together with the fungal phylum Ascomycota, were all higher in inoculated samples than in uninoculated controls. F. mosseae inoculation led to a remarkable enrichment of potentially beneficial genera (e.g., Streptomyces, Sphingomonas, Lysobacter, and Trichoderma), in stark contrast to the depletion of fungal pathogens (e.g., Botryotrichum, Acremonium, Fusarium, and Plectosphaerella). Rhizosphere pathways related to amino acid metabolism and antibiotic biosynthesis were upregulated by F. mosseae inoculation, whereas pathways involved in infectious diseases were downregulated. Thus, F. mosseae inoculation appears to reshape the rhizosphere microbiome, thereby augmenting C. annuum plant growth and fruit yield. Core Ideas: Funneliformis mosseae can enhance Capsicum annuum L. plant growth and fruit yield.F. mosseae can lead to the enrichment of beneficial rhizosphere microbiota.F. mosseae inoculation contributes to the depletion of fungal pathogens.F. mosseae can mediate the beneficial functions of rhizosphere microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Nonhost resistance (NHR) is a robust plant immune response against non‐adapted pathogens. A number of nucleotide‐binding leucine‐rich repeat (NLR) proteins that recognize non‐adapted pathogens have been identified, although the underlying molecular mechanisms driving robustness of NHR are still unknown. Here, we screened 57 effectors of the potato late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans in nonhost pepper (Capsicum annuum) to identify avirulence effector candidates. Selected effectors were tested against 436 genome‐wide cloned pepper NLRs, and we identified multiple functional NLRs that recognize P. infestans effectors and confer disease resistance in the Nicotiana benthamiana as a surrogate system. The identified NLRs were homologous to known NLRs derived from wild potatoes that recognize P. infestans effectors such as Avr2, Avrblb1, Avrblb2, and Avrvnt1. The identified CaRpi‐blb2 is a homologue of Rpi‐blb2, recognizes Avrblb2 family effectors, exhibits feature of lineage‐specifically evolved gene in microsynteny and phylogenetic analyses, and requires pepper‐specific NRC (NLR required for cell death)‐type helper NLR for proper function. Moreover, CaRpi‐blb2–mediated hypersensitive response and blight resistance were more tolerant to suppression by the PITG_15 278 than those mediated by Rpi‐blb2. Combined results indicate that pepper has stacked multiple NLRs recognizing effectors of non‐adapted P. infestans, and these NLRs could be more tolerant to pathogen‐mediated immune suppression than NLRs derived from the host plants. Our study suggests that NLRs derived from nonhost plants have potential as untapped resources to develop crops with durable resistance against fast‐evolving pathogens by stacking the network of nonhost NLRs into susceptible host plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the dehydration kinetics of Capsicum annuum L. var. glabriusculum (Piquin pepper) was studied at three different temperatures (70°C, 80°C, and 90°C) during infrared drying using a moisture analyzer. A mathematical model was used to predict the experimental data, which are related to the apparent effective moisture diffusivity coefficient (Deff). It was observed that by increasing the drying temperature from 70°C to 90°C, drying time decreased from 160 to 70 min, taking place in the falling rate stage; however, browning of the product was observed at 90°C. Piquin pepper's initial free‐water percentage was found to be 96.4% w/w. Experimental drying behavior agrees well with the single‐layer Gruintal–Santos model that was related to Deff obtaining values in the interval of 1.53 × 10−10 to 3.23 × 10−10 m2/s increasing with the temperature, which is comparable with reported values for similar drying processes of peppers. From 70°C to 90°C, the initial free water ranged from 4.72 to 4.88 kg of free water/kg of dry solid, while equilibrium free water changed from.2093 to.0526 kg of free water/kg of dry solid. The activation energy was estimated as 38.812 kJ/mol. Practical applications: Drying kinetics and moisture diffusivity coefficient have not been reported for Capsicum annuum L. var. glabriusculum (piquin pepper). In this work, we report the infrared kinetics drying and its mathematical modeling to estimate the moisture diffusivity coefficient as a function of drying temperatures. The results of Deff can be used for the large‐scale dryer design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cultivation of pepper (Capsicum annuum), a significant crop worldwide, is severely affected by a number of viral agents. In Antalya province, it was observed that pepper varieties possessing the cmr1 allele that provides resistance against CMV‐P0 isolate of CMV were affected in 2019 and 2020. Typical symptoms of CMV are emerging at an alarming rate in resistant pepper plants. Afterward, virus mechanical inoculation was carried out under controlled conditions on the five commercial resistant and susceptible varieties. The success of the inoculation studies was determined by RT‐PCR using CMV CPG‐specific primers. All commercial varieties carrying the resistance cmr1 gene showed disease symptoms. For complete genome analysis, RNA from a pepper plant carrying the cmr1 gene was sequenced using Illumina‐HiSeq 2000. BLAST analyses of the obtained complete genome sequence were carried out. The breaking (CMV‐P1) and non‐breaking isolates (CMV‐P0), which were previously described in conducted studies, were analysed and aligned for SNPs. SNP mutations in these nucleotide regions were similar to resistance‐breaking and completely different from non‐breaking isolates. Our study results revealed that the CMV‐P1 isolate obtained from pepper samples carrying cmr1 resistance has been shown to be able to overcome both field and laboratory conditions. To our knowledge, this is the first report of resistance‐breaking CMV‐P1 strain on pepper varieties in Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase in animal and agro‐industrial production must be accompanied by the development of appropriate waste and by‐product management strategies. Anaerobic digestion is a promising approach to recycle these wastes and reintegrate them into the economic production cycle of biogas and biofertilizer. In order to improve the performance of the anaerobic mesophilic digestion of abundant agro‐industrial wastes constituted by potato peel (PP), and poultry waste (PW) and study the contribution of bovine bone meal (BB) as additive rich in phosphorus, which can help to neutralize the acidity of the substrate. The 10‐point simplex‐centroid design and the isoresponse surfaces strategy were used. This study demonstrated that in mesophilic bio‐digestion, the using bovine bones in admixture with agroindustrial residue provided for the proper balance of chemical components required for proliferation of microbiological agent of bioconversion, which also resulted in an increase in biogas production capacity. The best formula was so composed by 66.67% bovine bone, 16.67% potatoes peel, and 16.67% poultry waste. The stability was achieved here after only 12 days. The digestate generated from it was fulfilled with the microbiological and chemical requirements for safety defined by the NF U44‐551 standard. Germination test revealed that this optimal produced digestate, did not hinder growth, in fact, almost 85% of seed was germinated. Finally, fertilization experiments prove that this digestate can boost the growth of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: We present a robust estimation of the CO2 concentration at the surface of photosynthetic mesophyll cells (cw), applicable under reasonable assumptions of assimilation distribution within the leaf. We used Capsicum annuum, Helianthus annuus and Gossypium hirsutumas model plants for our experiments.We introduce calculations to estimate cw using independent adaxial and abaxial gas exchange measurements, and accounting for the mesophyll airspace resistances.The cw was lower than adaxial and abaxial estimated intercellular CO2 concentrations (ci). Differences between cw and the ci of each surface were usually larger than 10 μmol mol−1. Differences between adaxial and abaxial ci ranged from a few μmol mol−1 to almost 50 μmol mol−1, where the largest differences were found at high air saturation deficits (ASD). Differences between adaxial and abaxial ci and the ci estimated by mixing both fluxes ranged from −30 to +20 μmol mol−1, where the largest differences were found under high ASD or high ambient CO2 concentrations.Accounting for cw improves the information that can be extracted from gas exchange experiments, allowing a more detailed description of the CO2 and water vapor gradients within the leaf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis is only partially explored in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). The genetic basis underlying flavonoid variation in pepper fruit was studied.Variation of flavonoids in fruit of a segregating F2 population was studied using LC–MS followed by quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis. Near‐isogenic lines (NILs), BC1S1 populations, virus‐induced gene silenced (VIGS) and transgenic overexpression were used to confirm the QTL and the underlying candidate gene.A major QTL for flavonoid content was found in chromosome 5, and a CaMYB12‐like transcription factor gene was identified as candidate gene. Near‐isogenic lines (NILs) contrasting for CaMYB12‐like confirmed its association with the flavonoid content variation. Virus‐induced gene silencing (VIGS) of CaMYB12‐like led to a significant decrease in the expression of several flavonoid pathway genes and a drastic decrease in flavonoid levels in silenced fruits. Expression of CaMYB12‐like in the tomato slmyb12 mutant led to enhanced levels of several flavonoids in the fruit skin. Introgression of the CaMYB12‐like allele into two cultivated varieties also increased flavonoid content in their fruits.A combination of metabolomic, genetic and gene functional analyses led to discovery of CaMYB12‐like as a major regulator of flavonoid variation in pepper fruit and demonstrated its potential to breed for high‐flavonoid content in cultivated pepper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capsicum annuum L., commonly known as chili pepper, is used as an important spice globally and as a crude drug in many traditional medicine systems. The fruits of C. annuum have been used as a tonic, antiseptic, and stimulating agent, to treat dyspepsia, appetites, and flatulence, and to improve digestion and circulation. The article aims to critically review the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of C. annuum and its major compounds. Capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, and some carotenoids are reported as the major active compounds with several pharmacological potentials especially as anticancer and cardioprotectant. The anticancer effect of capsaicinoids is mainly mediated through mechanisms involving the interaction of Ca2+‐dependent activation of the MAPK pathway, suppression of NOX‐dependent reactive oxygen species generation, and p53‐mediated activation of mitochondrial apoptosis in cancer cells. Similarly, the cardioprotective effects of capsaicinoids are mediated through their interaction with cellular transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 channel, and restoration of calcitonin gene‐related peptide via Ca2+‐dependent release of neuropeptides and suppression of bradykinin. In conclusion, this comprehensive review presents detailed information about the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of major bioactive principles of C. annuum with special emphasis on anticancer, cardioprotective effects, and plausible toxic adversities along with food safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pathogenesis‐related (PR) signaling plays multiple roles in plant development under abiotic and biotic stress conditions and is regulated by a plethora of plant physiological as well as external factors. Here, our study was conducted to evaluate the role of an ACC deaminase‐producing endophytic bacteria in regulating ethylene‐induced PR signaling in red pepper plants under salt stress. We also evaluated the efficiency of the bacteria in down‐regulating the PR signaling for efficient colonization and persistence in the plant endosphere. We used a characteristic endophyte, Methylobacterium oryzae CBMB20 and its ACC deaminase knockdown mutant (acdS−). The wild‐type M. oryzae CBMB20 was able to decrease ethylene emission by 23% compared to the noninoculated and acdS−M. oryzae CBMB20 inoculated plants under salt stress. The increase in ethylene emission resulted in enhanced hydrogen peroxide concentration, phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase activity, β‐1,3 glucanase activity, and expression profiles of WRKY, CaPR1, and CaPTI1 genes that are typical salt stress and PR signaling factors. Furthermore, the inoculation of both the bacterial strains had shown induction of PR signaling under normal conditions during the initial inoculation period. However, wild‐type M. oryzae CBMB20 was able to down‐regulate the ethylene‐induced PR signaling under salt stress and enhance plant growth and stress tolerance. Collectively, ACC deaminase‐producing endophytic bacteria down‐regulate the salt stress‐mediated PR signaling in plants by regulating the stress ethylene emission levels and this suggests a new paradigm in efficient colonization and persistence of ACC deaminase‐producing endophytic bacteria for better plant growth and productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The Xanthomonas transcription activator‐like effector (TALE) protein AvrBs3 transcriptionally activates the executor‐type resistance (R) gene Bs3 from pepper (Capsicum annuum), thereby triggering a hypersensitive cell death reaction (HR). AvrBs3 also triggers an HR in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) upon recognition by the nucleotide‐binding leucine‐rich repeat (NLR) R protein Bs4. Whether the executor‐type R protein Bs3 and the NLR‐type R protein Bs4 use common or distinct signalling components to trigger an HR remains unclear.CRISPR/Cas9‐mutagenesis revealed, that the immune signalling node EDS1 is required for Bs4‑ but not for Bs3‐dependent HR, suggesting that NLR‑ and executor‐type R proteins trigger an HR via distinct signalling pathways. CRISPR/Cas9‐mutagenesis also revealed that tomato Bs4 suppresses the virulence function of both TALEs, the HR‐inducing AvrBs3 protein and of AvrHah1, a TALE that does not trigger an HR in tomato.Analysis of AvrBs3‑ and AvrHah1‐induced host transcripts and disease phenotypes in CRISPR/Cas9‐induced bs4 mutant plants indicates that both TALEs target orthologous transcription factor genes to promote disease in tomato and pepper host plants.Our studies display that tomato mutants lacking the TALE‐sensing Bs4 protein provide a novel platform to either uncover TALE‐induced disease phenotypes or genetically dissect components of executor‐triggered HR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: Capsicum annuum (Solanaceae) was originally domesticated in Mexico, where wild (C. annuum var. glabriusculum) and cultivated (C. annuum var. annuum) chile pepper populations (>60 landraces) are common, and wild‐resembling individuals (hereafter semiwild) grow spontaneously in anthropogenic environments. Here we analyze the role of elevation and domestication gradients in shaping the genetic diversity in C. annuum from the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. Methods: We collected samples of 341 individuals from 28 populations, corresponding to wild, semiwild (C. annuum var. glabriusculum) and cultivated C. annuum, and closely related species Capsicum frutescens and C. chinense. From the genetic variation of 10 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci, we assessed the population genetic structure, inbreeding, and gene flow through variance distribution analyses, genetic clustering, and connectivity estimations. Results: Genetic diversity (HE) did not differ across domestication levels. However, inbreeding coefficients were higher in semiwild and cultivated chiles than in wild populations. We found evidence for gene flow between wild populations and cultivated landraces along the coast. Genetic structure analysis revealed strong differentiation between most highland and lowland landraces. Conclusions: Gene flow between wild and domesticated populations may be mediated by backyards and smallholder farms, while mating systems may facilitate gene flow between landraces and semiwild populations. Domestication and elevation may overlap in their influence on genetic differentiation. Lowland Gui'ña dani clustered with highland landraces perhaps due to the social history of the Zapotec peoples. In situ conservation may play an important role in preserving semiwild populations and private alleles found in landraces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: CaWRKY40 in pepper (Capsicum annuum) promotes immune responses to Ralstonia solanacearum infection (RSI) and to high‐temperature, high‐humidity (HTHH) stress, but how it interacts with upstream signalling components remains poorly understood.Here, using approaches of reverse genetics, biochemical and molecular biology we functionally characterised the relationships among the WRKYGMK‐containing WRKY protein CaWRKY27b, the calcium‐dependent protein kinase CaCDPK29, and CaWRKY40 during pepper response to RSI or HTHH.Our data indicate that CaWRKY27b is upregulated and translocated from the cytoplasm to the nucleus upon phosphorylation of Ser137 in the nuclear localisation signal by CaCDPK29. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assays and microscale thermophoresis, we observed that, due to the replacement of Q by M in the conserved WRKYGQK, CaWRKY27b in the nucleus failed to bind to W‐boxes in the promoters of immunity‐ and thermotolerance‐related marker genes. Instead, CaWRKY27b interacted with CaWRKY40 and promoted its binding and positive regulation of the tested marker genes including CaNPR1, CaDEF1 and CaHSP24. Notably, mutation of the WRKYGMK motif in CaWRKY27b to WRKYGQK restored the W‐box binding ability.Our data therefore suggest that CaWRKY27b is phosphorylated by CaCDPK29 and acts as a transcriptional activator of CaWRKY40 during the pepper response to RSI and HTHH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of pulsed light (PL) treatment on naturally occurring microorganisms, mycotoxins, and on physicochemical properties in red pepper powder was investigated. Powder samples were exposed to different PL treatments up to 61 pulses, with fluence ranging from 1.0 to 9.1 J/cm2. The highest fluence applied (9.1 J/cm2, 61 pulses, 20 s) resulted in 2.7, 3.1, and 4.1 log CFU/g reduction of yeasts, molds, and total plate counts (TPC), where initial microbial loads were 4.6, 5.5, and 6.5 log CFU/g, respectively. At the same fluence intensity, a maximum reduction of 67.2, 50.9, and 36.9% of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), total aflatoxins (AF), and ochratoxin A (OTA) were detected, respectively. Proportional increase in temperature of the samples was observed from the absorbed PL energy, reaching maximum of 59.8°C. The inactivation of investigated microorganisms and mycotoxins followed first‐order kinetics (R2 > 0.95). The fluence intensity at 6.9 and 9.1 J/cm2 did not cause degradation, but rather a significant (p <.05) and apparent increase of total phenols. Total color difference (ΔE*) revealed only "slight differences," compared to the untreated sample. In conclusion, higher reduction of microbial load and mycotoxins in red pepper powder could be achieved, when higher treatment intensity was applied. This suggests the PL as a potential technology for decontamination of red pepper powder and other spice powders. Practical Applications: Pulsed light could be used for the decontamination of foods and reduce variety of spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms. Exposure of red pepper powder to different levels of doses proposed in this study demonstrates alternative approaches for microbial inactivation and mycotoxins degradation of the product. Moreover, pulsed light treatment is a young technology using short treatment times with potential feasibility. The technique can be of great interest for the scientific and industrial R&D community dealing with pulsed light technology, microbial, and mycotoxins inactivation kinetics, food safety, and quality control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND In this study, we surveyed through a structured and pilot‐tested questionnaire, the practices of pesticide usage by small‐scale (< 1.25 ha) chilli and tomato farmers from four districts of Sri Lanka and their perceptions on the effectiveness of pesticides and willingness to adopt integrated pest management (IPM). RESULTS: We found significant (P < 0.05) variation among districts in farmer responses to 37 out of 59 survey questions. A majority of farmers were dependent on pesticides with only a minority practicing IPM. A majority perceived that their current pesticide usage was increasing, but was not excessive. A majority were aware of the negative impacts of pesticides on human health and environment. Farmer perception on the effectiveness of pesticides increased with age, but was not influenced by education level. Farmers having a higher opinion of pesticides made a greater number of applications during a cropping cycle. They also maintained a longer preharvest interval and did not use pesticide mixtures. A majority expressed willingness to initiate IPM, but identified lack of knowledge and technical knowhow on specific IPM practices for their crops as barriers to adoption and requested external support. Farmer willingness to adopt IPM is higher among older, more educated farmers and among full‐time farmers who are currently totally‐dependent on pesticides and whose major income source was farming. CONCLUSION: We conclude that a significant extension effort in terms of farmer education on IPM and external assistance to develop the technological knowhow, which is tailor‐made to specific districts, is needed to facilitate adoption of IPM among these farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was focused on the effect of hot air drying temperatures (40, 50, and 60°C) on rehydration (25°C) behavior and quality attributes of green (G), red (R), and yellow (Y) color bell peppers (BP). Increase in drying temperature significantly (p < 0.05) improved the drying rate and the moisture diffusivity of BP. Drying temperature increased the rehydration‐ratio and higher rehydration was observed for freeze‐dried samples (−50°C). Two‐term exponential and first‐order kinetics models were found the most appropriate to explain the drying and rehydration kinetics, respectively. The variation in color parameters was correlated with the significant (p < 0.05) deviation in total chlorophylls (20.53–16.88 μg/g dry‐mass), red pigment (493.02–766.25 μg/g dry‐mass), and nonsignificant deviation in yellow pigment (203.6–202.77 μg/g dry‐mass) of respective BP during drying. Increasing drying temperature increased the phenolic and flavonoid contents, but decreased the free‐radical scavenging activity of the BP. Practical Application: This study will add scientific data on comparative analysis of drying of red, yellow and green bell pepper with respect to different drying temperatures. Study will help to identify the best drying condition with respect to desired quality and color of bell pepper. Dried sample can be used in curry making, ready to eat products or seasoning without any seasonal barrier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Induction of the abscisic acid (ABA) signalling network is associated with various stress conditions, including cold, high salinity and drought. As core ABA signalling components, group A type 2C protein phosphatases (PP2Cs) interact with and inhibit snf1‐related protein kinase2s.Here, we isolated and characterised the pepper mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase kinase CaADIK1, which interacts with the group A PP2C CaADIP1. CaADIK1 transcripts were induced by abiotic stresses, and CaADIK1 localised in the nucleus and cytoplasm. We verified that CaADIP1 inhibits the autokinase activity of CaADIK1; moreover, the kinase activity of CaADIK1 is enhanced by drought stress.We performed genetic analysis using CaADIK1‐silenced pepper and CaADIK1‐overexpressing (OX) Arabidopsis plants. CaADIK1‐silenced pepper plants showed drought‐sensitive phenotypes, whereas CaADIK1‐OX Arabidopsis plants showed ABA‐sensitive and drought‐tolerant phenotypes. In CaADIK1K32N‐OX Arabidopsis plants mutated at the ATP‐binding site, the ABA‐insensitive and drought‐sensitive phenotypes were restored.Taken together, our findings show that CaADIK1 positively regulates the ABA‐dependent drought stress response and is inhibited by CaADIP1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Crops are exposed to recurrent and acute drought stress episodes during their vegetative and reproductive cycles, and these episodes are increasingly frequent due to ongoing climate change. Sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum), alias bell pepper, is one of the most widely cultivated vegetables and is grown in open fields worldwide. Here we assessed the effect of acute water stress, applied to a breeding line of sweet pepper at three stages of plant development: five true-leaves (Stage 1), production of the third flower (Stage 2) and setting of the first fruit (Stage 3), on the production and biochemical composition of its ripe fruits. RESULTS: The water stress at Stages 1 and 2 induced a delay in fruit ripening, while at Stage 3 caused a drop in production. The biochemical composition of ripe fruits was assessed by quantifying their content in vitamin C, sugars, organic acids, flavonoids as well as 190 volatile organic compounds, mainly belonging to the chemical classes of hydrocarbons, alcohols, ketones, esters, terpenes, aldehydes and ethers. Our results highlight that, at different stages of plant development, acute water stresses modulate differently the accumulation of bioactive compounds in fruits, which play a key role in setting the redox-status and osmotic adjustment of the plant. This was also the case for volatile compounds since, within each chemical class, different compounds varied their content in ripe fruits. CONCLUSIONS: On the whole, our results demonstrate that water stresses potentially affect the organoleptic and sensory qualities of bell pepper fruits depending on when they occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Proper management of Phytophthora capsici in pepper cultivation is extremely important, since Phytophthora blight is the main disease of this crop worldwide. In the past, the main strategy adopted had been the use of fungicides, causing, in some cases, the development of P. capsici resistant strains. In this work three different treatments selected from previous studies (potassium phosphite, calcium oxide and a water suspension from Trichoderma sp. TW2 enriched compost) were tested to prove their ability to activate the systemic acquired resistance (SAR) in pepper against P. capsici; acibenzolar‐s‐methyl was used as positive control. Two independent growth chamber pot experiments were performed, spatially dividing the site of treatments application (as radical drench) and the site of inoculation (as agar plug on the third leaf). RESULTS: Leaf lesions were measured, showing a significant reduction on all treated plants compared to the untreated control. To further confirm this hypothesis, the expression levels of three SAR key genes (CaPBR1, CaPO1 and CaDEF1) were evaluated though RT‐Real Time PCR at the three end‐point times: T0, T6 and T24. A significant increase of target genes expression at least in one end‐point time in each treated plant was observed. Eventually, statistical overaccumulation of salicylic acid was observed in the upper leaves at the same end‐point times, through HPLC‐MS/MS analysis. CONCLUSION: This work confirmed the hypothesis that the three treatments tested have the ability to prime the plant immune system, leading pepper to an alert status able to confer a better defence against P. capsici. © 2021 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Phytoene synthase (PSY1), capsanthin‐capsorubin synthase (CCS), and pseudo‐response regulator 2 (PRR2) are three major genes controlling fruit color in pepper (Capsicum spp.). However, the diversity of fruit color in pepper cannot be completely explained by these three genes. Here, we used an F2 population derived from Capsicum annuum 'SNU‐mini Orange' (SO) and C. annuum 'SNU‐mini Yellow' (SY), both harboring functional PSY1 and mutated CCS, and observed that yellow color was dominant over orange color. We performed genotyping‐by‐sequencing and mapped the genetic locus to a 6.8‐Mb region on chromosome 2, which we named CaOr. We discovered a splicing mutation in the zeaxanthin epoxidase (ZEP) gene within this region leading to a premature stop codon. HPLC analysis showed that SO contained higher amounts of zeaxanthin and total carotenoids in mature fruits than SY. A color complementation assay using Escherichia coli harboring carotenoid biosynthetic genes showed that the mutant ZEP protein had reduced enzymatic activity. Transmission electron microscopy of plastids revealed that the ZEP mutation affected plastid development with more rod‐shaped inner membrane structures in chromoplasts of mature SO fruits. To validate the role of ZEP in fruit color formation, we performed virus‐induced gene silencing of ZEP in the yellow‐fruit cultivar C. annuum 'Micropep Yellow' (MY). The silencing of ZEP caused significant changes in the ratios of zeaxanthin to its downstream products and increased total carotenoid contents. Thus, we conclude that the ZEP genotype can determine orange or yellow mature fruit color in pepper. Significance Statement: The three‐locus (Phytoene synthase, Capsanthin‐capsorubin synthase, and Pseudo response regulator2‐like) model has explained the mature fruit color in peppers, but it has recently been revealed that various genes can regulate fruit color. We demonstrated that a splicing mutation of Zeaxanthin epoxidase results in the mature color change of pepper by increasing the amount of total carotenoids. We also found that the mutation also affected the development of plastid and ABA synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to develop the models based on the texture parameters of images of selected parts of pepper fruit for cultivar discrimination. This study was aimed to compare the usefulness of textures from cross‐sections (slices) and seeds of pepper for distinguishing the different cultivars using the discriminative classifiers. The textures from the cross‐sections and seeds were calculated based on images converted to individual color channels. The texture selections and discriminant analyzes were performed separately for color spaces RGB, Lab, XYZ and color channels R, G, B, L, a, b, X, Y, Z. In the case of pepper cross‐sections, the discriminant models built for color space RGB, color channel G, color space Lab, color channel L, color space XYZ and color channel Y provided the total accuracies reaching 100%. In the case of pepper seeds, the total accuracies reached 89% for models built based on textures selected from color space RGB, 90% for color space Lab and 82% for color space XYZ. Among the color channels from individual color spaces, the highest total accuracies were determined for color channel R (84%), color channel L (81%), and color channel X (83%). Practical Applications: The developed discrimination models can be practically applied for the identification of pepper cultivars in a fast, objective and inexpensive way. Both, in the case of pepper cross‐sections and pepper seeds, the cultivar may be distinguished with a very high probability. In order to increase the range of use of the developed procedure, the research may be extended to other cultivars. It may allow to avoid adulteration of pepper fruit and seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Pattern‐triggered immunity (PTI) is activated in plants upon recognition by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) of damage‐ and microbe‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs and MAMPs) derived from plants or microorganisms, respectively. To understand better the plant mechanisms involved in the perception of carbohydrate‐based structures recognized as DAMPs/MAMPs, we have studied the ability of mixed‐linked β‐1,3/1,4‐glucans (MLGs), present in some plant and microbial cell walls, to trigger immune responses and disease resistance in plants. A range of MLG structures were tested for their capacity to induce PTI hallmarks, such as cytoplasmic Ca2+ elevations, reactive oxygen species production, phosphorylation of mitogen‐activated protein kinases and gene transcriptional reprogramming. These analyses revealed that MLG oligosaccharides are perceived by Arabidopsis thaliana and identified a trisaccharide, β‐d‐cellobiosyl‐(1,3)‐β‐d‐glucose (MLG43), as the smallest MLG structure triggering strong PTI responses. These MLG43‐mediated PTI responses are partially dependent on LysM PRRs CERK1, LYK4 and LYK5, as they were weaker in cerk1 and lyk4 lyk5 mutants than in wild‐type plants. Cross‐elicitation experiments between MLG43 and the carbohydrate MAMP chitohexaose [β‐1,4‐d‐(GlcNAc)6], which is also perceived by these LysM PRRs, indicated that the mechanism of MLG43 recognition could differ from that of chitohexaose, which is fully impaired in cerk1 and lyk4 lyk5 plants. MLG43 treatment confers enhanced disease resistance in A. thaliana to the oomycete Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis and in tomato and pepper to different bacterial and fungal pathogens. Our data support the classification of MLGs as a group of carbohydrate‐based molecular patterns that are perceived by plants and trigger immune responses and disease resistance. Significance Statement: A better characterization of plant mechanisms involved in the perception of carbohydrate‐based structures recognized as damage‐/microbe‐associated molecular patterns is needed to understand plant immunity further. We show here that in addition to the β‐1,3‐ and β‐1,4‐glucans damage‐/microbe‐associated molecular patterns, plants are able to perceive mixed‐linked β‐1,3/1,4‐glucans that are present in the cell walls of some plant species and microbes, such as the oomycete Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis. Mixed‐linked β‐1,3/1,4‐glucans trigger immune responses and disease resistance against different pathogens in several plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The association of crops of value with companion plants could be one of the strategies to reduce the harmful effects of pests. We hypothesize that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by some aromatic plants may negatively impact M. persicae, disturbing its feeding behavior and consequently its reproduction. RESULTS: VOCs emitted from six potential companion plant species affected the reproduction of M. persicae feeding on pepper plants, Capsicum annuum. Reproduction of M. persicae was reduced when exposed to VOCs from leaves of Ocimum basilicum and flowers of Tagetes patula. Thus, species and phenology of the companion plant can influence the effect. The VOCs from O. basilicum and T. patula also reduced phloem feeding by the aphids based on electropenetrography (EPG). CONCLUSION: The reduced fecundity of M. persicae could be linked to aphid feeding disruption provoked by the VOCs emitted by O. basilicum in the vegetative stage or T. patula cv. Nana in the flowering stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: We report here a detailed analysis of the proteome adjustments that accompany chromoplast differentiation from chloroplasts during bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) fruit ripening. While the two photosystems are disassembled and their constituents degraded, the cytochrome b6f complex, the ATPase complex, and Calvin cycle enzymes are maintained at high levels up to fully mature chromoplasts. This is also true for ferredoxin (Fd) and Fd‐dependent NADP reductase, suggesting that ferredoxin retains a central role in the chromoplasts' redox metabolism. There is a significant increase in the amount of enzymes of the typical metabolism of heterotrophic plastids, such as the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway (OPPP) and amino acid and fatty acid biosynthesis. Enzymes of chlorophyll catabolism and carotenoid biosynthesis increase in abundance, supporting the pigment reorganization that goes together with chromoplast differentiation. The majority of plastid encoded proteins decline but constituents of the plastid ribosome and AccD increase in abundance. Furthermore, the amount of plastid terminal oxidase (PTOX) remains unchanged despite a significant increase in phytoene desaturase (PDS) levels, suggesting that the electrons from phytoene desaturation are consumed by another oxidase. This may be a particularity of non‐climacteric fruits such as bell pepper that lack a respiratory burst at the onset of fruit ripening. Significance Statement: Chromoplast differentiation is integral to bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) fruit ripening and accompanied by the reorganization of an autotrophic to a heterotrophic plastid metabolism. The large‐scale quantitative proteome analysis reported here offers detailed insights into this reorganization process in a non‐climacteric fruit and allows a comparison to chromoplast differentiation in the climacteric fruit tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Although both systems progress similarly, there are subtle differences with respect to redox metabolism and the timing of electron transport realignment processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Peppers are rich in health‐promoting phytochemicals, which are involved in the defence mechanisms against cancer. To select a lead variety of pepper with anti‐proliferative activity against colon cancer cells and liver cancer cells, high antioxidant activity, and high concentrations of capsaicin, flavonoids and phenolics, we compared these attributes in nine different pepper accessions belonging to Capsicum annuum and C. chinense. Quality parameters such as weight loss and total soluble solids content were tested as well. The different parameters were determined immediately after harvest and after prolonged storage and marketing simulation. A significant variation of these traits was detected among the accessions. C. chinense line 1745 had the highest antioxidant activity, the highest levels of capsaicin and flavonoids, a high and specific anti‐cancer activity, and the lowest weight loss level during postharvest storage. It is proposed that line 1745 has potential for use as a source for health‐promoting traits and should be further evaluated for use as a nutraceutical for the prevention and treatment of colon and liver cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: In order to reduce application dosage of carbendazim (CBD), the effects of different droplet sizes and application rate on initial deposition, retention rate, and field control efficacy of CBD in the pepper plant (Capsicum annuum L.) were studied under laboratory and field conditions. RESULTS: Based on eight types of nozzles at six concentrations of 646.8, 582.2, 517.5, 414.0, 310.5, and 258.7 g a.i./hm2, the initial deposition amount of CBD in the pepper plant showed a first increased and then decreased trend with the increasing application dosages. The initial deposition amount of CBD in the pepper leaves and stems was highest when using the nozzle ST110‐03 at 200 μm volume median diameter (VMD) and 350 L/hm2 application rate. HPLC‐MS/MS analysis revealed that CBD was first converted to 2‐aminobenzimidazole, which then transformed into benzimidazole and 2‐hydroxybenzimidazole by deamination and hydroxylation, and ultimately mineralized to carbon dioxide and water via the cleavage of the imidazole ring in pepper plant. The dissipation rate of CBD was fruits > roots/stems > leaves > soils. After 7 days of application, the field efficacy of CBD at six concentrations on pepper anthracnose (Colletotrichum spp.) were 94.1%, 91.3%, 82.3%, 76.5%, 47.0%, and 41.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results revealed the deposition and dissipation characteristics of CBD, and the minimum effective dosage on pepper anthracnose decreased to 80% of the minimum recommended dose in the open field pepper ecosystem. The study will contribute to the CBD reduction by improving its utilization rate in the pepper‐field ecosystem. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postemergence damping‐off of chilli caused by Pythium spp. is a common and serious problem in large chilli growing areas of India under the moist conditions that generally prevails during the sowing period. Therefore, in order to better understand this disease, an isolate belonging to the genus Pythium (Pythiales) was isolated from the infected chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) plant root parts collected from the fields of Chandauli district, Uttar Pradesh, India. Based on the congruence of cultural, morphological, cardinal growth rate and the sequence data analysis, the isolate was identified as Pythium graminicola. The molecular phylogenetic analysis based on ITS‐rDNA sequences clustered the isolate with representative sequences for P. graminicola from GenBank in the Pythium clade. The isolate carbon utilization profiles were characterized using Biolog FF MicroPlate method. The results revealed that the isolate used a wide range of carbon sources, mainly carbohydrates, but also amino acids, suggesting the use of metabolic routes that include glycolysis/gluconeogenesis. Moreover, an in vitro colony growth inhibition assay was performed to determine the influence of chemical (fungicides) and biological (bacteria and fungi) antagonists over the pathogen using the poison plate and dual culture method, respectively. Overall, the results revealed that the presence of aggressive broad range biocontrol agents can be used as an effective environmentally friendly approach for management and control of damping‐off in production systems. The antagonist can serve as a bio‐efficient and eco‐friendly alternative to synthetic fungicides for the development of an effective integrated pest management (IPM) system and obtaining higher yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NADPH is an essential cofactor in many physiological processes. Fruit ripening is caused by multiple biochemical pathways in which, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) metabolism is involved. Previous studies have demonstrated the differential modulation of nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) content during sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) fruit ripening, both of which regulate NADP‐isocitrate dehydrogenase activity. To gain a deeper understanding of the potential functions of other NADPH‐generating components, we analyzed glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and 6‐phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH), which are involved in the oxidative phase of the pentose phosphate pathway (OxPPP) and NADP‐malic enzyme (NADP‐ME). During fruit ripening, G6PDH activity diminished by 38%, while 6PGDH and NADP‐ME activity increased 1.5‐ and 2.6‐fold, respectively. To better understand the potential regulation of these NADP‐dehydrogenases by H2S, we obtained a 50–75% ammonium‐sulfate‐enriched protein fraction containing these proteins. With the aid of in vitro assays, in the presence of H2S, we observed that, while NADP‐ME activity was inhibited by up to 29–32% using 2 and 5 mM Na2S as H2S donor, G6PDH and 6PGDH activities were unaffected. On the other hand, NO donors, S‐nitrosocyteine (CysNO) and DETA NONOate also inhibited NADP‐ME activity by 35%. These findings suggest that both NADP‐ME and 6PGDH play an important role in maintaining the supply of NADPH during pepper fruit ripening and that H2S and NO partially modulate the NADPH‐generating system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pvr4 locus, commonly associated with a co‐dominant CAPS marker, confers monogenic dominant resistance to potyvirus complex in Capsicum spp. Aiming to investigate whether the resistance found in resistant genotypes not bearing Pvr4 marker is due to allelism in the Pvr4 locus, or due to a new locus of the pvr series, segregation analyses of an F2 population obtained from a cross between two pepper lines "Myr‐29‐10" (P1) (resistant to PepYMV, showing a single band of 444 bp, Pvr4/Pvr4) and "PIM‐025" (P2) (resistant to PepYMV, showing a single band of 458 bp, Pvr4+/Pvr4+) were performed. According to the results, there is strong evidence that the locus controlling PepYMV resistance in PIM‐025 (P2) is not Pvr4. These results provide evidence that those resistant genotypes, bearing a susceptible band pattern in the Pvr4 locus (458 bp, Pvr4+/Pvr4+), carry a different gene from those described in the literature up to the present time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited information is available on the performance of plant growth‐promoting inoculants or bioproducts under different soil nutritional or fertility conditions. Consequently, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a commercially available Bacillus‐containing bioproduct, Microlife Abundance, at concentrations of 5.5 and 6.5 log cfu/ml on early growth, fertilizer use–efficiency, and fruit yield of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) under two different soil fertility conditions (25% and 100% recommended N rates). Two pot experiments were conducted with bell pepper: (a) a 4‐week‐long early growth test with inoculant treatments applied once at transplanting; and (b) a 13‐week‐long yield test with inoculant treatments applied at transplanting and again at first blossom‐set. Results from the early growth test indicated that at both N fertilization levels, applying Abundance once at transplanting at 6.5 log cfu/ml rather than 5.5 log cfu/ml significantly increased root dry weight, total root length, root volume, root surface area, and total length of very fine roots compared with the noninoculated control by 20%, 13%, 17%, 15%, and 12%, respectively. In contrast to the early growth, results from the yield test showed that only at the 100% recommended N rate, applying Abundance twice at both concentrations significantly enhanced N fertilizer use–efficiency and marketable yield of bell pepper over the noninoculated control by 34% (5.5 log cfu/ml) and 30% (6.5 log cfu/ml). Therefore, the efficacy of the Bacillus‐containing bioproduct Abundance in enhancing fertilizer use–efficiency and marketable yield of bell pepper varied between soil nutritional conditions, but the early growth promotion effect of Abundance did not. Our results also demonstrate that selected microbial‐based bioproducts, like Abundance, can be compatible with chemical fertilizers to enhance fertilizer use–efficiency and crop yields, but cannot be used as complete substitutes for chemical fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The predatory midge Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Rondani) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) is widely used for the control of Aphis spp. in many agricultural systems. We aimed to determine the most suitable host plant for rearing the predatory midges on the prey Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Six host plants were selected: cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Beith Alpha), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Falat111), eggplant (Solanum melongena L. cv. Yummy), pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Bertene) (all Solanaceae), okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moensch cv. Clemson Spineless] (Malvaceae), and squash (Cucurbita pepo L. cv. Hybrid rajai) (Cucurbitaceae). Some physical traits (length and density of trichomes) and chemical attributes (nitrogen content) of prey host plants were investigated. The results showed that prey host plants differed significantly in their effect on fitness of the predator. The shortest immature development time (18.07 ± 0.257 days), the longest female adult longevity (7.5 ± 0.18 days), and the highest fecundity (89 eggs/female) of A. aphidimyza were found with squash as prey food. The highest intrinsic rate of increase (0.171 ± 0.009 day−1) and also the shortest mean generation time (22.4 ± 0.32 days) were also obtained when A. aphidimyza fed on A. gossypii reared on squash. Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) approved the correlation between life‐history traits of A. aphidimyza and characteristics of prey host plants. The suitability of squash for rearing A. aphidimyza can be attributed to the higher nitrogen content, longer trichomes, and relatively high density of trichomes, which provided a better environment for A. gossypii and indirectly favored A. aphidimyza. This study showed that squash is the most suitable host plant for rearing A. aphidimyza feeding on A. gossypii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Pepper is an important vegetable with great economic value and unique biological features. In the past few years, significant development has been made toward understanding the huge complex pepper genome; however, pepper functional genomics has not been well studied. To better understand the pepper gene structure and pepper gene regulation, we conducted full‐length mRNA sequencing by PacBio sequencing and obtained 57 862 high‐quality full‐length mRNA sequences derived from 18 362 previously annotated and 5769 newly detected genes. New gene models were built that combined the full‐length mRNA sequences and corrected approximately 500 fragmented gene models from previous annotations. Based on the full‐length mRNA, we identified 4114 and 5880 pepper genes forming natural antisense transcript (NAT) genes in‐cis and in‐trans, respectively. Most of these genes accumulate small RNAs in their overlapping regions. By analyzing these NAT gene expression patterns in our transcriptome data, we identified many NAT pairs responsive to a variety of biological processes in pepper. Pepper formate dehydrogenase 1 (FDH1), which is required for R‐gene‐mediated disease resistance, may be regulated by nat‐siRNAs and participate in a positive feedback loop in salicylic acid biosynthesis during resistance responses. Several cis‐NAT pairs and subgroups of trans‐NAT genes were responsive to pepper pericarp and placenta development, which may play roles in capsanthin and capsaicin biosynthesis. Using a comparative genomics approach, the evolutionary mechanisms of cis‐NATs were investigated, and we found that an increase in intergenic sequences accounted for the loss of most cis‐NATs, while transposon insertion contributed to the formation of most new cis‐NATs. Open Research Badges: This article has earned an Open Data Badge for making publicly available the digitally‐shareable data necessary to reproduce the reported results. The data is available at http://bigd.big.ac.cn/gsa Accession number, CRA001412 Significance Statement: We conducted full‐length mRNA sequencing using PacBio SMRT technology and identified 57862 full‐length pepper mRNAs, and genome‐wide analysis identified nearly 10000 cis‐ and trans‐NATs, accounting for more than a quarter of the pepper protein coding genes. Many pepper NAT genes responsive to different biological processes were identified by transcriptome study, including genes potentially playing roles in disease resistance and capsanthin/capsaicin biosynthesis, and evolutionary mechanisms for cis‐NAT were studied using a comparative genomics approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Intercropping companion plants (CPs) with horticultural crops could be an eco‐friendly strategy to optimize pest management. In this research, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by some CPs were investigated for their repellent properties towards the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae Sulzer). The aim of this study was to understand the modes of action involved: direct effects on the aphid and/or indirect effects via the host plant (pepper, Capsicum annuum L.). RESULTS: We identified two promising repellent CP species: the volatile blend from basil (Ocimum basilicum, direct repellent effect) and the mixture of (or previously intercropped) C. annuum plants with Tagetes patula cv. Nana (indirect effect). This effect was cultivar‐dependent and linked to the volatile bouquet. For the 16 compounds present in the O. basilicum or T. patula bouquets tested individually, (E)‐β‐farnesene, and eugenol reported good repellent properties against M. persicae. Other compounds were repellent at medium and/or highest concentrations. Thus, the presence of repellent VOCs in a mixture does not mean that it has a repellent propriety. CONCLUSION: We identified two promising repellent CP species towards M. persicae, with a likely effect of one CP's VOCs on the host plant repellency and highlighted the specific effectiveness of VOC blends. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Tracking predator–prey interactions using automated image recording systems provides insights into novel patterns and mechanisms of predator–prey dynamics, thus these systems have the potential to evaluate biological control agents effectively. Using an automated video tracking system, we aimed to quantify the behavioural patterns of a generalist predator Harmonia axyridis in response to changing prey density. The effect of intraspecific interactions on foraging efficiency was evaluated. In addition, functional response parameters were compared between the observations and model predictions. RESULTS: The associated behavioural component of prey consumption by H. axyridis was modified by prey density, especially for dual predator trials. Both individual and paired H. axyridis exhibited type II functional responses and a consistent cycle of behaviour. Interestingly, intra‐specific interference did not affect overall prey consumption. Divergence between estimated and calculated functional response parameters was observed, which might due to the difficulty of separating foraging and non‐foraging activity. CONCLUSIONS: Interference interactions between H. axyridis conspecifics might alter their foraging patterns; however, the outcome of prey consumption was not affected by this behaviour. In conclusion, automated video tracking systems may be used to expose the detailed foraging behaviour of predators and could be used to evaluate a wide range of natural enemies. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Plants have evolved complex defense mechanisms to adapt and survive under adverse growth conditions. Abscisic acid (ABA) is a phytohormone that plays a pivotal role in the stress response, especially regulation of the stomatal aperture in response to drought. Here, we identified the pepper CaASRF1 (Capsicumannuum ABASensitive RINGFinger E3 ligase 1) gene, which modulates drought stress tolerance via ABA‐mediated signaling. CaASRF1 contains a C3H2C3‐type RING finger domain, which functions as an E3 ligase by attaching ubiquitins to the target proteins. CaASRF1 expression was enhanced after exposure to ABA, drought and NaCl. Loss‐of‐function in pepper plants and gain‐of‐function in Arabidopsis plants revealed that CaASRF1 positively modulates ABA signaling and the drought stress response. Moreover, CaASRF1 interacted with and was associated with degradation of the bZIP transcription factor CaAIBZ1 (Capsicumannuum ASRF1‐Interacting bZIP transcription factor 1). Contrary to CaASRF1 phenotypes, CaAIBZ1‐silenced pepper and CaAIBZ1‐overexpressing Arabidopsis exhibited drought‐tolerant and drought‐sensitive phenotypes, respectively. Taken together, our data indicate that CaASRF1 positively modulates ABA signaling and the drought stress response via modulation of CaAIBZ1 stability. Significance Statement: Several RING‐type E3 ligases and bZIP transcription factors act as positive or negative modulators of ABA and drought signaling; therefore, we isolated the RING‐type E3 ligase CaASRF1, which interacts with and ubiquitinates bZIP transcription factor CaAIBZ1 in pepper. CaASRF1 plays a positive role in ABA and drought signaling via regulation of CaAIBZ1 stability; our findings provide insight into ABA signaling and the drought stress response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Due to differences in radiation sources (electron beam from electron accelerator, gamma ray from 60Co radionuclide) and energy delivery time (dose rate, kGy/time), the effects on foods are expected to be different with regard to chemical quality change and microbial decontamination. To better understand this impact, effects of variable dose rates of electron beam (EB, kGy s−1) and gamma rays (GR, kGy h−1) on microbial reduction, capsanthin content, and color parameters of red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) powders (RPP) were determined. RPP samples were irradiated with 3 kGy absorbed dose, at variable dose rates of 1 and 5 kGy s−1 of EB (10 MeV/10 kW), and 1.8 and 9 kGy h−1 of GR (60Co). RESULTS: Aerobic plate counts (APC) as well as yeast and mold counts of non‐irradiated samples were 7.12 log CFU g−1 and 6.62 log CFU g−1, respectively. EB and GR reduced these by 2–3 log CFU g−1. A lower dose rate (1 kGy s−1) of EB was more effective for microbial reduction than a higher dose rate (5 kGy s−1). In contrast, a higher dose rate (9 kGy h−1) of GR efficiently decreased APC compared to a lower dose rate (1.8 kGy h−1). Higher EB and GR dose rates significantly decreased the capsanthin content and Hunter's red color (a* value). CONCLUSION: Low EB (kGy s−1) and high GR (kGy h−1) dose rates are recommended for microbiological safety of RPP with negligible changes in color attributes visible to the human eye, in contrast to the measured values. Thus the study demonstrates that the influence of absorbed dose is dependent on the applied dose rates. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information about a study on pan-genome of cultivated pepper or capsicum as well as its application in gene presence-absence variation research. Other topics being presented include gene expression in plants as well as the DNA sequencing and RNA sequencing assembly process and transcription.

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Abstract: BACKGROUND: A randomized block design experiment was performed to investigate the influence of drying on the physical, chemical and nutritional quality attributes of five prominent cultivars of India under sun drying (SD) (mean temperature 35.5 °C, average daily radiation 5.26 kW h m−2 and mean relative humidity 73.66% RH), hot air drying (HD) at 65 °C, microwave vacuum drying (MVD) (800 W, 5 kPa) and freeze drying (FD) (−50 °C, 5 kPa). Water activity, pH, total phenolic content (TPC), ascorbic acid (AA), capsaicin, β‐carotene, color and Scoville heat unit were studied. RESULTS: TPC, AA, capsaicin content, β‐carotene, color and water activity were significantly affected by the drying method. FD was observed to be most efficient in minimizing the loss of color, capsaicin and β‐carotene. The hotness of analyzed samples decreased in the order ‘Bird's Eye’ > ‘Sannam S4’ > ‘CO‐4’ > ‘PLR‐1’ > ‘PKM‐1’ among the studied cultivars, and FD > MVD > HD > SD among the drying methods. CONCLUSION: The FD method was observed to be the most efficient drying method for retaining capsaicin content over other drying methods (SD, HD, MVD), whereas MVD was found to be most efficient in minimizing the loss to nutritional attributes for all five pepper cultivars. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND The influence of various biochars on crop yield and disease resistance of Capsicum annuum L. (sweet pepper) under modern, high input, intensive net house cultivation was tested over the course of 2011-2014 in the Arava desert region of Israel. A pot experiment with Lactuca sativa L. (lettuce) grown in the absence of fertilizer employed the 3-year-old field trial soils to determine if biochar treatments contributed to soil intrinsic fertility. RESULTS Biochar amendments resulted in a significant increase in the number and weight of pepper fruits over 3 years. Concomitant with the increased yield, biochar significantly decreased the severity of powdery mildew ( Leveillula taurica) disease and broad mite ( Polyphagotarsonemus latus) pest infestation. Biochar additions resulted in increased soil organic matter but did not influence the pH, electrical conductivity or soil or plant mineral nutrients. Intrinsic fertility experiments with lettuce showed that two of the four biochar-treated field soils had significant positive impacts on lettuce fresh weight and total chlorophyll, carotenoid and anthocyanin contents. CONCLUSION Biochar-based soil management can enhance the functioning of intensive, commercial, net house production of peppers under the tested conditions, resulting in increased crop yield and plant resistance to disease over several years. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A biofertilizer (BF) based on the plant growth promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) Bacillus siamensis was produced using anaerobic digestate (AD) as the main ingredient of the growth medium, alongside a carbon source from residual origin. The use of residues for the growth of PGPR reduces the production costs of biofertilizers, but makes an assessment of the possible toxicity of residues for the bacteria or plants necessary. Therefore, the growth medium of PGPR was first optimized using the response surface methodology (RSM), followed by phytotoxicity tests and a field trial of the BF in a sweet pepper ( Capsicum annuum L.) crop at two different locations. AD at 50% dilution, supplemented with 2.3% sugar beet molasses, was the optimum growth medium for producing the BF, with a bacterial concentration of 109 cfu mL−1. In the field trial, the treatments inoculated with BF and fertilized with decreased mineral N (80%) produced significantly better yields per ha than the controls with decreased N (80%) and full N (100%) without BF. This indicates improved efficiency of N use by the crop, as a consequence of the use of BF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In pepper ( Capsicum annuum), the major genes (R-genes) Me1 and Me3 confer resistance against root-knot nematodes ( Meloidogyne spp.). The combination of R-genes and quantitative resistance factors in the same genotype is considered a good breeding strategy for increasing the durability of R-genes. To ascertain this hypothesis, five pepper inbred lines, differing in their quantitative resistance level, were combined with Me1 or Me3 genes in F1 hybrids. The resistance of inbred lines and F1 hybrids was evaluated in a greenhouse with soil naturally infected by M. incognita in two successive growing years. In both years, lines carrying Me3 were less infected by the nematode when combined with quantitative resistance. An increase in nematode infection was observed in the second growing year in lines carrying Me1 or Me3, independently of quantitative resistance. The infection level recorded in inbred lines without R-genes was similar in both years. The effectiveness of quantitative resistance controlling M. incognita is confirmed in greenhouse conditions, although the durability of Me1 and Me3 when combined with quantitative resistance factors was not seen to increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]