Responses of drought-stressed hot pepper to seaweed extract application: Agronomic and physiological perspectives
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Abstract
A significant interaction between field capacity (FC) and seaweed extract (LSE) was observed for total chlorophyll content, with the highest level (4.74 mg/g tissue) in 0% LSE under 75% FC and the lowest (1.73 mg/g tissue) in 3.75% LSE under the same FC. While FC significantly affected growth and physiological traits, it had minimal impact on yield. Fruit weight and length varied slightly across FC levels: 100% FC (2.78 g & 11.79 cm), 75% FC (3.12 g & 13.41 cm), 50% FC (2.63 g & 12.46 cm), and 25% FC (3.12 g & 13.24 cm). In contrast, yield variables based on LSE treatment—fruit weight per plant and number of fruits per plant—showed moderate differences, with 0% LSE producing 17.51 g and 6.37 fruits, 1.25% LSE 19.95 g and 6.61 fruits, 2.5% LSE 17.98 g and 6.61 fruits, 3.75% LSE 22.09 g and 7.11 fruits, and 5% LSE 17.37 g and 6.52 fruits.
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