Determination of the effect of waterlogging stress on some physiological parameters in pepper plant (Capsicum annuum L.)

Waterlogging is one of the important environmental factors affecting plant growth in many wetland and floodplain ecosystems in our country. In this study, the morphological and physiological responses of Çermik pepper genotype and Mazamort pepper variety to waterlogging stress conditions were examined. The study was carried out in a climate chamber under controlled conditions with 3 replications and 10 plants in each replication. Applications were determined as 0 (control), 5, 10, 15 days. At the end of the study, the responses of Çermik pepper genotype and Mazamort pepper variety to different applications were compared. In Çermik genotype, the highest plant height (46,90 cm) is in the 15th day of waterlogging application. In the Mazamort variety, the highest point (46,93 cm) is under waterlogging stress on the 15th day. The root collar diameter was highest (5,63 mm) in the Çermik genotype on the 5th day of control, and in the Mazamort variety the highest (6,17 mm) was in the 10th and 15th day control applications. The highest values of SPAD content in Çermik genotype (45,37 SPAD) and Mazamort variety (45,63 SPAD) are in the 15th day flooded applications. The highest values for plant fresh weights in the Çermik genotype (35,90 g) and Mazamort variety (35,95 g) are in the control 15th day applications. Plant dry weights, compared to starter plants; The highest values were determined to be in the 15th day waterlogging applications in the Çermik genotype (3,362 g) and in the control 15th day applications in the Mazamort variety (3,189 g). Leaf relative water content was determined to be 97,54% in the Çermik genotype on the 15th day of the control, and 91,52% in the Mazamort pepper variety on the 5th day of the control. Ion leakage, in Çermik genotype, compared to the starter plants; It was determined that on the 5th day and 10th day of the control, there was an increase in waterlogging applications and a decrease in other applications. In the Mazamort pepper variety, according to the starter plants; It was determined that there was a decrease in ion leakage in the control 10th day and control 15th day applications, and an increase in the other applications. As a result, it was determined that the pepper genotype from the Çermik region showed higher tolerance to waterlogging stress conditions compared to the Mazamort commercial variety. Therefore, Çermik pepper genotype can be recommended for agriculture in areas at risk of flooding and can be used as a resistant genotype in breeding studies.