Inorganic element content of greenhouse-grown paprika (Capsicum annuum L.) based on cultivar and harvest season

Abstract

In Japan, greenhouse cultivation is expected to increase paprika production. We investigated the variation of Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn content in paprika based on cultivar and harvest season in this study. In 2014, a two-way analysis of variance with five paprika cultivars harvested at the same horticultural facility revealed significant differences in the majority of inorganic elements between cultivars, harvest dates, and interactions. In 2015, significant differences in all inorganic elements were observed between cultivars, harvest dates and interactions. The variation of inorganic elements with harvest season was similar regardless of the cultivar, and harvest season influenced the inorganic element content of paprika more than the cultivar or its color. Although this study reports an example of variation caused by differences in cultivar and harvest season, Ca and Mn content tended to be low in summer and early autumn, whereas K and Zn content tended to be high in summer and early autumn in 2015 paprika samples.