Yield and quality performance of some sweet pepper varieties under the influence of organic cultivation

The work is part of a complex investigation related not only to peppers yield performance in organic system, but also with quality and consumer acceptability, Romanian market being somehow governed by the preference of red fruits, especially on agrifood chain, by consumers and processors. The research started from the premise that organic production involves the achievement of adequate nutritional and culinary quality of pepper fruits. To investigate pepper organic performance, the study was carried out to evaluate the effects of organic cultivation practices on yield and quality of ten pepper lines. The influence of specific practices such as fertilization, pest and pathogen management in accordance with organic legislation was assessed on pepper yield and several fruit quality traits, like total soluble solids, color (carotene, lycopene, xanthophyll and chlorophyll content), dry matter, pH and titratable acidity, all responsible for taste, nutritional quality, consumers preference. Considering the increasing consumer demand for healthy produces and the current policies targeted to environmentally sustainable crop systems, the organic cultivation represents a relevant alternative to conventional farming practices which is based on chemical inputs. In summary, among the compounds present in organic sweet pepper, the amount of beta-carotene and lycopene appears as an important parameter to improve the value of production. Competitive yields were accomplished by all investigated resources.