SINK-SOURCE RELATION ON ABORTION OF REPRODUCTIVE STRUCTURES, PHOTOSYNTHETIC RATE AND YIELD IN Capsicum annuum

There is evidence of a relationship between the development of the initial fruits and the abortion of reproductive structures in upper nodes of Capsicum annuum (paprika, pepper), which makes its harvest difficult in continuous production systems. In this study, the effect of the sink size during fruiting, growth rate of fruits and rate of CO2 assimilation (A) on three flower removal intensities treatments was evaluated. At the same time, photosystem II (PSII) photochemical activity and fruit growth (size and biomass) were evaluated. The experimental design was completely randomized, with three replications and 16 plants per experimental unit. The maximum flower removal (up to the third flower node) increased fruit diameter, length, fresh weight and dry weight (p <= 0.05) compared to the other two treatments (flowers removed at the first or second node). A minimum percentage of fruit with less than 100 g weight was obtained under the same condition. According to A and the photochemical activity, leaf age determines photosynthetic efficiency. The relationship of the latter with the development state of the fruit is not straightforward.