Changes in seed quality development in relation to seed maturation in pepper species

The aim of this study was to monitor seed quality development in C. annuum L., C. baccatum L. and C. chinense Jacq. pepper species. In the first year (2021), seeds were harvested between 45 and 80 days (DAA) before successive flowering and in the second year (2022), seeds were harvested between 40 and 80 days (DAA) before successive flowering and seed quality was tested by seed germination, aging test, seedling emergence test, seed strength index, germination under drought stress, germination under salinity stress, germination under low and high temperature stress. The results of the research show that harvesting at 55 DAA and later in C. annuum L. and C. baccatum L. species and at 60 DAA and later in C. chinense Jacq. species covers the ideal period for obtaining maximum seed quality. Both germination and seed vigor test results were higher in C. annuum L. than in C. baccatum L. and C. chinense Jacq. fruit characteristics; by the first harvest, fruit sizes reached sufficient size. The number of seeds per fruit was lower in C. baccatum L. and C. chinense Jacq. than in C. annuum L. In pepper species, delaying the appropriate harvest time causes seed germination in the fruit and causes loss of quality. Appropriate harvest time was found to be important cultural practices to get high quality pepper seed production.