Effect of Grafting and Growing Environment on Yield Performance of Two Bell Pepper Cultivars

Abstract

Peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) are a globally significant vegetable, particularly valuable in the Mediterranean and Balkan regions due to their diverse uses and nutritional benefits. They are produced in open fields, as well as greenhouses. Climate change and intensive production practices pose challenges to pepper cultivation, such as increased biotic and abiotic stresses, requiring new strategies for increased yield and quality. Grafting, a technique of combining elite vegetable varieties with specific rootstocks, has emerged as a promising solution to enhance yields and resilience. This study evaluated the impact of grafting and growing environments on the yield of two bell pepper hybrids, Gelby F1 and Vedrana F1, grafted onto three commercial rootstocks under greenhouse and open field conditions. The results indicated that grafted plants, especially those on the SM Tant rootstock, generally outperformed non-grafted plants in terms of fruit mass, number of fruits per plant and marketable yield. The greenhouse environment favoured larger and heavier fruits. This study emphasizes the importance of selecting compatible rootstock/scion combinations to optimize yield and quality in specific growing conditions.