Determining the effects of oxalic acid and chitosan applications on pepper yield and quality

This study was aimed to determine the effects of oxalic acid and chitosan applications on yield and quality of pepper. For this purpose, 7 treatments including 3 different doses of oxalic acid (1, 3 and 5 mM), chitosan (150, 300 and 450 ppm) and control were applied foliarly 3 times with 21 days intervals from seedling planting. The effects of oxalic acid and chitosan treatments on fruit width, flesh thickness, stem diameter, b*, C*, h° and beta carotene were found to be insignificant. Compared to the control, oxalic acid and chitosan treatments showed similar effects or decreased chlorophyll, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, total phenolic and total sugar values. Although the highest yield value was obtained in 450 ppm chitosan application, it was determined that the other treatments increased the yield values compared to the control. The highest values of fruit number, fruit weight and fruit length were obtained in 450 ppm and 150 ppm chitosan; 450 ppm chitosan and 5 mM oxalic acid; 5 mM oxalic acid treatments, respectively. The highest reducing sugar value was determined in 300 ppm chitosan application. While the highest L* values were determined in 1 mM and 3 mM oxalic acid applications; the highest a* values were obtained in 1 mM, 3 mM oxalic acid and 150 ppm chitosan applications. In result, the positive effects of foliar oxalic acid and chitosan applications were observed in pepper cultivation and it was determined that 450 ppm chitosan dose came to the fore especially in terms of yield parameters.