Effect of cow manure on fruit quality and antioxidant activities of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

To determine the effect of cow manure on antioxidant compounds and fruit quality of sweet pepper (Capsicum annum L.), an experiment was conducted in the open field. Cow manure was supplied in four levels (۰, ۵, ۱۰, and ۱۵ t ha-۱). The results indicated that fruit quality factors were influenced by cow manure. The pH significantly increased in response to cow manure treatments and the highest values were obtained from the most level of cow manure treatment (۱۵ t ha-۱). Moreover, the titratable acidity of the fruit was significantly lower when treated in cow manure. It was observed that cow manure applied to at ۱۰ t ha-۱ resulted in the highest total soluble solids contents of the fruit, while the lowest values were recorded in the control. Also, cow manure at the lowest level (۵ t ha-۱) had the highest ascorbic acid contents. Cow manure treatments positively affected fruit antioxidant compounds. Cow manure applied to at ۱۵ t ha-۱ resulted in the highest antioxidant activities, and carbohydrate contents, while the lowest values were recorded in the control. Total flavonoid contents significantly increased in response to cow manure treatments and the highest values were obtained from the ۵ t ha-۱ of cow manure treatment.Therefore, these results indicated that cow manure has a strong effect on the quality and antioxidant compounds of sweet pepper plants under field conditions.

Keywords:

antioxidant activities , carbohydrate , flavonoid , fruit quality