Caracterização de plantas de pimenta em diferentes condições hídricas na fase vegetativa

In the production of vegetables, water is used throughout the production cycle and is supplied through irrigation systems. The demand for water in Brazil is growing, with a forecast increase of 24% by 2030 (ANA, 2019). The cultivation of vegetables is one of the most prominent agricultural sectors in Brazil, mainly due to its great social, economic and food importance in the country. The pepper is of great importance in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, being produced mainly by family farming. Several research groups on genetic improvement in peppers of the genus Capsicum have sought to select individuals adapted to water deficit. Thus, the objective of this work was to characterize two pepper varieties subjected to different water conditions. The trial was implemented with two species of peppers subjected to four water conditions (irrigation shift). Irrigation was suppressed through irrigation shifts of 0, 2, 4 and 8 days, during two cycles in the vegetative phase. The pots were irrigated at field capacity and then the first irrigation suppression treatment was started, counting from the following day. The same procedure was carried out for the second cycle. Relative water content and biometric data were evaluated. The results obtained in both cultivars, Dedo-de-Moça (Capsicum baccatum) and Malagueta (Capsicum frutescens) in the vegetative phase, presented some variations both in relation to biometric data and relative water content, believing in the tendency to have their affected development in the future.