A long-term trial to determine variations in the yield and quality of a processing type pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Yalova yağlık-28) in organic and conventional farming systems

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the long-term performance under two farming systems of Capia pepper, a summer vegetable in high demand, consumed fresh, as paste, dried, or roasted. The trial was conducted for 9 years on certified organic and conventional plots of Ege University, İzmir, Turkey. In both farming systems, pepper was the main summer crop, but the preceding crop varied between the farming systems and over the years. Certified organic seeds and seedlings of Yalova yağlık-28, an open pollinated variety, were used for Capia pepper production. Yields were statistically similar in the conventional (45,217 kg ha⁻¹) and organic (43,645 kg ha⁻¹) systems; however, significant yield variations occurred with respect to the annual conditions. The farming system significantly influenced fruit quality. The average fruit weight was 99.7 g in the conventional plots compared with 88.8 g in the organic. The fruit pericarp was thicker in the organic (5.1 mm) than in the conventionally grown ones (4.5 mm). The L-ascorbic acid content was (73.4 mg 100 g⁻¹) higher in the conventional fruit, whereas the total soluble solids (7.7%) and red pulp color, determined by a chromameter, as a*/b* (2.0), were more pronounced in fruit from the organic plots. The long-term trial showed that organic management helped to improve the soil organic matter content and fruit quality, especially from the perspective of processing.