Evaluation of effect of gibberellins and calcium spray in different growth stages on some qualitative and quantitative traits of sweet pepper

In order to improve yield and quality of sweet pepper cv. ‘California Wonder’ in Ilam province, effects of gibberellins (GA3 50 mg/l) or calcium (CaCl2 0.5 percent) spray at beginning or the end of harvesting season (70 and 120 days after transplanting, respectively) were evaluated. Either of the chemicals were sprayed two or three times per growth stage through a factorial assay on the basis of a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Results showed that gibberellic acid and calcium spray increased average yield in plant, weight, length, diameter, volume, texture stiffness, flesh thickness, dry weight, ascorbic acid content, antioxidant activity, chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll, as well as calcium content of fruits in both growth stages. Gibberellins with three sprays per growth stages performed the highest positive role in improvement of physical properties of fruits. Effect of gibberellins and calcium on all evaluated traits, except fruit density, were significantly higher at the late harvesting stage than early stages. Therefore, gibberellic acid and calcium spray especially at the end of harvesting season may be advised to improve yield and quality of sweet pepper.