Mecanismos de defesa ao déficit hídrico em plantas de pimenta, do gênero Capsicum spp.

Olericulture has been grown substantially in Brazil due to its significant social, economic and food role. Pepper, which is produced mainly by family farming, stands out because of its huge importance in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industry. As water is a constant part of all process during the oleraceous productive circle, irrigation is used, and its demand will increase even more. Besides the constant need for water, climate changes may limit the growth considerably, especially during the dry season. For this reason, plants will use their own physical, metabolic, and morphological defense against water scarcity, in order to endure, and adapt in such condition. Taking this fact into account, many research groups who study the genetic improvement of the pepper, have selected specimens more suitable to water scarcity. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to present data about pepper growth and the main mechanisms of the plant resistance in water scarcity.