Effects on Net Photosynthesis in Field-Grown Hot Peppers Responding to the Increased CO2 and Temperature

The increased $CO_2$ and temperature (700 ${\mu}$mol.$mol^{-1}$ $CO_2$ and $30^{\circ}C$) was compared with ambient growth conditions (400 ${\mu}$mol.$mol^{-1}$ $CO_2$ and $25^{\circ}C$) in hot pepper. Gas exchange measurements, including net photosynthesis ($P_{net}$) and stomatal conductance ($g_s$), were taken according to treatment in fields of peppers grown in Suwon and Asan during 2008. The increased treatment $P_{net}$ by 35-45% throughout the season and was statistically significant in t-tests (p < 0.001); however, it did not significantly affect $g_s$. In addition, the gas exchange parameters in sun and shade leaves were measured. The difference between the sun and shade leaves was much greater than that between the elevated and ambient treatments, especially at harvest. Four commercial cultivars of hot pepper, Chunhasangsa, Ryukang, Manitta, and Olympic, were also compared by ANOVA. Chunhasangsa had the highest $P_{net}$, which decreased by 30% from the vegetative to the harvest stage. Based on a factorial design, the effect of the increased $CO_2$ and temperature was assessed based on the temperature, $CO_2$, and their interaction effects. Orthogonal contrasts showed that the effects of temperature on $P_{net}$ and $g_s$ were significant, whereas $CO_2$ and their interactions were not.