Growth and physiological aspects of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) under saline stress and exogenous application of proline

Abstract

The experience was brought out to the experimental field of the Agroecological Centre at the Agricultural University of Plovdiv which owns a Certificate of ecological farm work. The research was carried out on two pepper cultivars: Gorogled 6 and Buketen 50 - intended for production of red pepper for grinding. For the purpose of the experiment a bio-fertilizer, produced by the Californian earthworm Lumbricus rubellus was used. Two levels of the bio-fertilizer were applied - 50 and 100 ml/per plant. It was determined that the bio-fertilizer speeds up plant growth. It influences the growth rate of the roots and stems and affects the formation of the foliage. The bio-fertilizer has a positive effect upon the functional activity of the photosynthetic apparatus /increased content of photosynthetic pigments, improved leaf gas exchange/. The biofertilizer also influences the yield (raw material for drying). The highest effect has been achieved at application of 100 ml fertilizer to the Gorogled 6 cultivar.