GROWTH RESPONSE AND FRUIT YIELD OF PEPPER GRAFTED ON DIFFERENT HOT PEPPER ROOTSTOCKS M. Umar Farooq B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture Horticulture 2012-ag-2235 A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree MASTER OF SCIENCE (Hons.) IN AGRICULTURE HORTICULTURE INSTITUTE OF HORTICULTURAL SCIENCES FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE, FAISALABAD, PAKISTAN Declaration I hereby declare that the contents of the thesis, " G rowth response and fruit yield of pepper grafted on different hot pepper rootstocks " are product of my own research and no part has been copied from any published source (except the references, standard mathematical or genetic models/ equations/ formulate/ protocols etc.). I further declare that this work has not been submitted for award of any other diploma/ degree. The University may take action if the information provided is found inaccurassssste at any stage. (In case of any default the scholar will be proceeded against as per HEC plagiarism policy). Moreover, I shall not publish data of this thesis without permission of supervisory committee. _________________ M. Umar Farooq 2012-ag-2235 List of tables Sr # Tittle Page # Expt#1 Growth and yield of Sky line II grafted on different rootstocks. 15 4.1.1.1 A nalysis of variance for Grafting success percentage of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 15 4.1.1.2 Grafting success percentage of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 16 4.1.2.1 Analysis of variance for field survival percentage of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 16 4.1.2.2 Field Survival percentage of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 17 4.1.3.1 Analysis of variance for plant height of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 18 4.1.3.2 Plant height(cm) of chilli scionstock (Sky line Ι Ι) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 18 4.1.4.1 Analysis of variance for number of secondary branches of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 19 4.1.4.2 Number of secondary branches of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 19 4.1.5.1 Analysis of variance for number of leaves of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 20 4.1.5.2 Number of leaves of chilli scionst ock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 20 4.1.6.1 Analysis of variance for number of nodes of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 21 4.1.6.2 Number of nodes of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 21 4.1.7a.1 Analysis of variance for stem diameter above union of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 22 4.1.7a.2 Stem diameter above union of chilli sci onstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 22 4.1.7b.1 Analysis of variance for stem diameter below union of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 23 4.1.7b.2 Stem diameter below union of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 24 4.1.8.1 Analysis of variance for chlorophyll contents (Spad units) of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 25 4.1.8.2 Chlorophyll contents (Spad units) of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 25 4.1.9.1 Analysis of variance for days to first flowering of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different roots tocks 26 4.1.9.2 Days to first flowering of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 26 4.1.10.1 Analysis of variance for per plant yield of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 27 4.1.10.2 Per plant yield of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 27 4.1.11.1 Analysis of variance for fruit fresh weight of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different root stocks 28 4.1.11.2 Fruit fresh weight of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 28 4.1.12.1 Analysis of variance for fruit pedicel length of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 29 4.1.12.2 Fruit pedicel length of of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 29 4.1.13.1 Analysis of variance for fruit length of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different ro otstocks 30 4.1.13.2 Fruit length of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 31 4.1.14.1 Analysis of variance for Fruit area index of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 32 4.1.14.1 Fruit area index of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 32 4.1.15.1 Analysis of variance for fruit dry weight of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 33 4 .1.15.2 Fruit dry weight of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 33 4.1.16.1 Analysis of variance for total soluble solids of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 34 4.1.16.2 Total soluble solids of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 34 4.1.17.1 Analysis of variance for fruit juice pH of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 35 4.1 .17.2 Fruit juice pH of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 35 4.1.18.1 Analysis of variance Titratable acidity percentage of chilli scionstock(Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 36 4.1.18.2 Titratable acidity percentage of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 36 4.1.19 .1 Analysis of variance for ascorbic acid of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 37 4.1.19 .2 Ascorbic acid of chilli scionstock (Sky line ΙΙ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 37 Expt#2 Growth and yield of two hanging type hot pepper hybrids grafted on different rootstocks 38 4.2.1.1 A nalysis of variance for Grafting success percentage of chilli scionstocks (Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 38 4.2.12.2 Grafting success percentage of chilli scionstocks (Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 39 4.2.2.1 Analysis of variance for field survival percentage of chilli scionstocks (Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 40 4.2.2.2 Field Survival percentage of chilli scionstocks (Super Hot Won der Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 40 4.2.3.1 Analysis of variance for plant height of chilli scionstocks (Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 41 4.2.3.2 Plant height(cm) of chilli scionstocks (Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 42 4.2.4.1 Analysis of variance for number of secondary branches of chilli scionstocks (Super Hot, Wonder Hot ) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 43 4.2.4.1 Number of s econdary branches of chilli scionstocks (Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 44 4.2.5.1 Analysis of variance for number of leaves of chilli scionstocks (Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 45 4.2.5.1 Number of leaves of chilli scionstocks (Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 45 4.2.6.1 Analysis of variance for number of nodes of chilli scionstocks (Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 46 4.2.6.2 Number of nodes of chilli scionstocks (Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 47 4.2.7a.1 Analysis of variance for stem diameter above union of chilli scionstocks (Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 48 4.2.7a.2 Stem diameter above union of chilli scionstocks (Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 48 4.2.7b.1 Analysis of variance for stem diameter below union of chilli scionstocks (Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 50 4.2.7b.2 Stem diameter below union of chilli scionstocks(Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 50 4.2.8.1 Analysis of variance for chlorophyll contents (Spad units) of chilli scionstocks (Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 51 4.2.8.2 Chlorophyll contents (Spad units) of chilli scionstocks (Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 52 4.2.9.1 Analysis of variance for days to first flowering of chilli scionstocks(Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 53 4.2.9.2 Days to first flowering of chilli scionstocks (Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in resp onse to grafting on different rootstocks 53 4.2.10.1 Analysis of variance for per plant yield of chilli scionstocks (Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 54 4.2.10.2 Per plant yield of chilli scionstocks(Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 55 4.2.11.1 Analysis of variance for fruit fresh weight of chilli scionstocks(Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 56 4.2.11.2 Fruit fresh weight of chilli scio nstocks (Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 57 4.2.12.1 Analysis of variance for fruit pedicel length of chilli scionstocks(Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 58 4.2.12.2 Fruit pedicel length of of chilli scionstocks (Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 58 4.2.13.1 Analysis of variance for fruit length of chilli scionstocks (Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 59 4.2.13.2 Fruit length of chilli scionstocks (Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 60 4.2.14.1 Analysis of variance for f ruit area index of chilli scionstocks (Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 61 4.2.14.2 Fruit area index of chilli scionstocks (Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 61 4.2.15.1 Analysis of variance for fruit dry weight of chilli scionstocks (Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 62 4.2.15.2 Fruit dry weight of chilli scionstocks (Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 63 4.2.16.1 Analysis of variance for total soluble solids of chilli scionstocks (Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 64 4.2.16.2 Total soluble solids of chilli scionstocks (Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 64 4.2.17.1 Analysis of variance for fruit juice pH of chilli scionstocks (Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 65 4.2.17.2 Fruit juice pH of chilli scionstocks (Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 66 4.2.18.1 Analysis of variance Titratable acid ity percentage of chilli scionstocks(Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 67 4.2.18.2 Titratable acidity percentage of chilli scionstocks (Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 67 4.2.19 .1 Analysis of variance for ascorbic acid of chilli scionstock (Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 68 4.2.19 .2 Ascorbic acid of chilli scionstock (Super Hot, Wonder Hot) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 6 9 Expt#3 Growth and yield of Sweet Pepper grafted on different rootstocks. 69 4.3.1.1 A nalysis of variance for Grafting success percentage of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 70 4.3.1.2 Grafting success percentage of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 70 4.3.2.1 Analysis of variance for field survival percentage of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 71 4.3.2.2 Field Survival percentage of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 71 4.3.3.1 Analysis of variance for plant height of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 72 4.3.3.2 Plant height (cm) of chilli scionstock(Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 72 4.3.4.1 Analysis of variance for number of secondary branches of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder ) in response to grafting on different roots tocks 73 4.3.4.2 Number of secondary branches of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 73 4.3.5.1 Analysis of variance for number of leaves of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 74 4.3.5.2 Number of leaves of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 74 4.3.6.1 Analysis of variance for number of nodes of chilli ΙΙ (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different ro otstocks 75 4.3.6.2 Number of nodes of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 75 4.3.7a.1 Analysis of variance for stem diameter above union of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 76 4.3.7a.2 Stem diameter above union of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 76 4.3.7b.1 Analysis of variance for stem diameter below union of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 77 4.3.7b.2 Stem diameter below union of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 77 4.3.8.1 Analysis of variance for chlorophyll contents (Spad units) of chilli scions tock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 78 4.3.8.2 Chlorophyll contents (Spad units) of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 79 4.3.9.1 Analysis of variance for days to first flowering of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 80 4.3.9.2 Days to first flowering of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 80 4.3.10.1 Analysis of variance for p er plant yield of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 81 4.3.10.2 Per plant yield of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 81 4.3.11.1 Analysis of variance for fruit fresh weight of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 82 4.3.11.2 Fruit fresh weight of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 82 4.3.12.1 Analysis of variance f or fruit pedicel length of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 83 4.3.12.2 Fruit pedicel length of of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 83 4.3.13.1 Analysis of variance for fruit length of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 84 4.3.13.2 : Fruit length of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 85 4.3.14.1 Analysis of varianc e for Fruit area index of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 86 4.3.14.2 Fruit area index of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 86 4.3.15.1 Analysis of variance for fruit dry weight of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 87 4.3.15.2 Fruit dry weight of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 87 4.3.16.1 Analysis of variance for total soluble solids of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 88 4.3.16.2 Total soluble solids of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 88 4.3.17.1 Analysis of variance for fruit juice pH of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 89 4.3.17.2 Fruit juice pH of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 90 4.3.18.1 Analysis of varia nce for t itratable acidity percentage of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 91 4.3.18.2 Titratable acidity percentage of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 91 4.3.19 .1 Analysis of variance for ascorbic acid of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 92 4.3.19 .2 Ascorbic acid of chilli scionstock (Yellow Wonder) in response to grafting on different rootstocks 92 ABSTRACT Pepper belongs to family Solanaceous, is one of the important vegetables in the world. However mono-cropping can lead to loss of soil quality and increase the incidence of soil borne diseases. Many scientists suggest to resolve these problems through crop rotation, use of methyl bromide as a soil fumigation, use of artificial plant growth regulators and grafting. In this study we will evaluate whether grafting can improve agronomic behavior of pepper by using six local varieties as rootstocks (Shinghri, Kotsultan, Kashmiri, Hasalpur, Lodhran, Qundri) along with Four hybrid varieties (Yellow wonder, Skyline, Wonder hot) of chilies as scion stock. In first and third experiment (Randomized complete block design) and in second experiment factorial design the data were collected for different physical and biochemical parameters of crop and was subjected to statistical evaluation using computer software Statistix 8.1. Means were compared at 5% probability level using LSD. Result showed significant and non-significant impact of grafting on different rootstocks same trend also observed in scions stocks.as grafting show positive effect on height of plant, number of secondary branches, number of leaves, stem diameter, per plant yield, per fruit weight but show non-significant effect on plant height, total soluble solides, titratable acidity. negative effect also observe in some rootstocks as it were non-compatible to scion also observe that some rootstocks give inferior growth and other economical parameters so concluded that choice of scion and rootstock is very important. Chapter 1 Introduction Pepper ( Capsicum spp .) belongs to family solanaceous, is one of the important vegetables in the world.pepper consist of twenty two wild species and five domestic species include The five domesticated species include Capsicum annum L., C. frutescens L., C. chinenses, C. baccatum L., and C. pubescens R. (Bosland and Votava, 2000). These species are used according to there colour shape size flavour and pungency most cultured species is capsicum annum L. (Smith et al ., 1987; Bosland, 1992). Pepper is known from prehistoric time in Peru. It originated in the America around 7500 B.C. Columbus carried chili seed to Spain in 1493. The farming of chili spread quickly from Spain to Europe. Leading countries of chili are India 38% and China 7% (Madala and Nutakki, 2020). An average pepper yield is up to 40 to 50 tons per ha (Badia et al ., 2017). People commonly used the pepper in their diet all over the world. Chilies are rich source of vitamins A and C. It also has potassium, magnesium and iron. Pepper is used for the treatment of headaches, blood clots, arthritis, neuralgia, cluster, postherpetic (Madala and Nutakki, 2020). People face many problems of chill cultivation like as High cost of quality seed and fertilizer, lack of technical knowledge about cultivation, infestation of pest and diseasses, (Balraj et al 2018). Non-availability of high breeds varieties, Increasing trend in cost of production, Conventional system of processing, Unfavorable system of processing, Inadequate finance, Workers own grievances, High cost of labour, High cost of fertilizers, High cost of pesticides, Inadequate credit facilities, Lack of knowledge about new varieties, Non- availability of seedlings, Unable to bear the replacement cost, Poor incentive from the Government, Labour Shortage, Mono cropping, salty soil and polluted water ( Geetha et al 2017) These problems can be minimize through proper knowledge about production technologies of crop, timely application of fertilizer, pesticides and insecticides at proper rate. State department may provide the certified seed. For reduced in production cost integrated pest, nutrients and water management are to be followed in chilli cultivation ( Geetha et al ., 2017).Chilli production may be enhanced through grafting on suitable rootstock (Colla et al ., 2006).chilli production also enhanced through breeder seed (Reddy et al., 2014) Grafting is a horticultural practice in which tissues of plants are joined so as to continue their growth together. The lower part of combined plant is rootstock while upper part is scion (Gaion et al ., 2018). Grafting is practice from ancient, Greek, Roman, and Chinese literature shows that grafting was a common practice in fifth century BCE (Melnyk et al ., 2015). First solanaceous grafting (capsicum, eggplant, and tomato) was performed by Edward rice in 1890. He performed many intra specific (within different genera) and interspecific (within same genera) he also practiced on coleus beans and cucurbits and elaborated the inter and intra specific combine ability (Rice, 1891). R uiter’s introduce tomato rootstock in 1963 that is resistance to nematodes and corky root rot. He also introduced rootstocks with verticillium, fusarium wilt resistance (DeRuiter, 2013). Between 1920 to 1930 intraspecific grafting controlling of soil borne diseases become popular (Kubota et al ., 2008) The advantages of grafted plants can be divided into following categories increasing yield and growth parameters (Bletsos and Olympios, 2008; Davis et al ., 2008) tolerate againest soil born diseases and nematoses(Bletsos and Olympios, 2008), tolerate againest salt stress, tolerate againest waterloged soil and salinity (Kubota et al ., 2008). Grafted plants have been shown to produce higher yields (Bletsos and Olympios, 2008; Davis et al ., 2008) when pepper plants are graft on vigorous rootstocks .this rootstock is better able to tolerate againest harsh environment also absorbe more nutrient as compared to non grafted plants(Buller et al ., 2016; Giles, 2011) factors that result in improved Productivity (Davis et al ., 2008b;Haberal et al ., 2016; Loewen and Rivard, 2016) because some growth hormones and proteines are present in rootstock that is move from rootstock to scionstock phloem proteins facilitate the movement of these proteins and hormones to the scion (Golecki et al ., 1998), where they excelerate its growth and development (Edelstein, 2004; Lee, 1994) whole genomes (especially Mitochondria) and in some cases entire nuclear genomes, can also shift the graft union via the phloem and be showed in the scion (Fuentes et al ., 2014), altering its functioning. This occur even in intraspecific graft unions (Haberal et al ., 2016).