Combinatorial impacts of elevated CO2 and temperature affect growth, development, and fruit yield in Capsicum chinense Jacq

Sangita Das; Prakash Kalita; Sumita Acharjee; Arun Jyoti Nath; Bhabesh Gogoi; Sikander Pal; Ranjan Das

doi:10.1007/s12298-023-01294-9

Combinatorial impacts of elevated CO₂ and temperature affect growth, development, and fruit yield in Capsicum chinense Jacq

Physiol Mol Biol Plants. 2023 Mar;29(3):393-407. doi: 10.1007/s12298-023-01294-9. Epub 2023 Mar 16.

Authors

Sangita Das¹, Prakash Kalita¹, Sumita Acharjee², Arun Jyoti Nath³, Bhabesh Gogoi⁴, Sikander Pal⁵, Ranjan Das¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Crop Physiology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam 785013 India.
² Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam 785013 India.
³ Department of Environmental Science, Assam University, Silchar, Assam 788011 India.
⁴ Department of Soil Sciences, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam 785013 India.
⁵ Plant Physiology Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Jammu, Jammu, 180006 India.

Abstract

Hot chilli ('Bhut Jolokia') (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) is the hottest chilli widely grown in the North-Eastern region of India for its high pungency. However, little information is available on its physiology, growth and developmental parameters including yield. Therefore, the present research was undertaken to study the physiological responses of Bhut Jolokia under elevated CO₂ (eCO₂) and temperature. Two germplasms from two different agro-climatic zones (Assam and Manipur) within the North-East region of India were collected based on the pungency. The present study explored the interactive effect of eCO₂ [at 380, 550, 750 ppm (parts per million)] and temperature (at ambient, > 2 °C above ambient, and > 4 °C above ambient) on various physiological processes, and expression of some photosynthesis and capsaicin related genes in both the germplasms. Results revealed an increase (> 1-2 fold) in the net photosynthetic rate (P_n), carbohydrate content, and C: N ratio in 'Bhut Jolokia' under eCO₂ and elevated temperature regimes compared to ambient conditions within the germplasms. Gene expression studies revealed an up-regulation of photosynthesis-related genes such as Cs RuBPC2 (Ribulose biphosphate carboxylase 2) and Cs SPS (Sucrose phosphate synthase) which, explained the higher P_n under eCO₂ and temperature conditions. Both the germplasm showed better performance under CTGT-II (Carbon dioxide Temperature Gradient Tunnel having 550 ppm CO₂ and temperature of 2 °C above ambient) in terms of various physiological parameters and up-regulation of key photosynthesis-related genes. An up-regulation of the Cs capsaicin synthase gene was also evident in the study, which could be due to the metabolite readjustment in 'Bhut Jolokia'. In addition, the cultivar from Manipur (cv. 1) had less fruit drop compared to the cultivar from Assam (cv. 2) in CTGT II. The data indicated that 550 ppm of eCO₂ and temperature elevation of > 2 °C above the ambient with CTGT-II favored the growth and development of 'Bhut Jolokia'. Thus, results suggest that Bhut Jolokia grown under the elevation of CO₂ up to 550 ppm and temperature above 2 °C than ambient may support the growth, development, and yield.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-023-01294-9.

Keywords: Bhut Jolokia; Capsicum chinense Jacq.; Carbohydrate; Elevated CO2; Rubisco; Sugar metabolism.

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