Interacting effects of phytohormones and fruit pruning on the morpho-physiological and biochemical attributes of bell pepper

Abstract Several factors, such as pruning and phytohormones, have demonstrated an influence on both the quantity and quality in the bell pepper. A factorial experiment using a completely randomized design was conducted on the Lumos yellow bell in a greenhouse. Treatments were the fruit pruning (0, 10, and 30%) and foliar application of phytohormones auxin (AUX) and gibberellic acid (GA 3 ) at concentrations of 10 µM AUX, 10 µM GA 3 , 10 µM AUX + 10 µM GA 3 +, and 20 µM AUX + 10 µM GA 3 along with controls. The plants were sprayed with phytohormones in four growth stages (1: flowering stage when 50% of the flowers were on the plant, 2: fruiting stage when 50% of the fruits were the size of peas, 3: fruit growth stage when 50% of the fruits had reached 50% of their growth, and 4: ripening stage when 50% of the fruits were at color break). The results of the present investigation showed that pruning rate of 30% yielded the highest flesh thickness and vitamin C content, decreased seed count and hastened fruit ripening. The use of GA 3 along with AUX has been observed to augment diverse fruit quality characteristics. According to the results, the application of 10% pruning in combination with 20 µM AUX and 10 µM GA 3 demonstrated the most significant levels of carotenoids, chlorophyll, and fruit length. The experimental group subjected to the combined treatment of 30% pruning and 10 µM AUX + 10 µM GA 3 showed the most noteworthy levels of vitamin C, fruit weight, and fruit thickness. The groups that received the 10 µM GA 3 and 20 µM AUX + 10 µM GA 3 treatments exhibited the most favorable fruit flavor. According to the research results, the implementation of hormonal treatments 10 µM AUX and 10 µM AUX + 10 µM GA 3 in combination with a 30% pruning strategy resulted in the most advantageous yield of bell peppers.