Genetic variability of mineral elements concentration in pepper varieties (Capsicum annuum L.)

Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the major members of the vegetable kingdom. The differences between the individual varieties in mineral nutrition and the uptake of mineral elements have provoked our interest for the investigations of their genotype specificity. The chemical composition of pepper leaves at flowering and at the end of the growing season was analysed. On the average, the content of total ash was app. 22%, namely 19-20% (soluble) and 2-3% (insoluble) at both stages. The highest accumulation values were obtained with nitrogen, then potassium, calcium and phosphorus, whereas the lowest with sodium. The most remarkable genotypic differences were recorded at the end of the growing season. The results obtained clearly demonstrate the chemical heterogeneity of pepper varieties. This crop may be grown successfully only if specificity of its mineral nutrition is known.