Phenological Characteristics and Environmental Factor Associations in Open-Field Cultivation of Pepino on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

In the eastern Tibetan Plateau, the pepino plays a crucial role for environment. However, a challenge is the lack of a standardized system to track its growth stages, making it challenging to compare phenology in different areas. We investigated the growth stages of pepino using the Biologische Bund...

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Main Authors: Zhichao Hou, Cheng Si, Qiwen Zhong, Haiwang Zhang, Ziran Guo, Guangnan Zhang, Dengkui Shao, Shipeng Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:International Journal of Fruit Science
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15538362.2025.2453149
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author Zhichao Hou
Cheng Si
Qiwen Zhong
Haiwang Zhang
Ziran Guo
Guangnan Zhang
Dengkui Shao
Shipeng Yang
author_facet Zhichao Hou
Cheng Si
Qiwen Zhong
Haiwang Zhang
Ziran Guo
Guangnan Zhang
Dengkui Shao
Shipeng Yang
author_sort Zhichao Hou
collection DOAJ
description In the eastern Tibetan Plateau, the pepino plays a crucial role for environment. However, a challenge is the lack of a standardized system to track its growth stages, making it challenging to compare phenology in different areas. We investigated the growth stages of pepino using the Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt, and Chemical Industry (BBCH) scale as a reference framework. Our study delineated a comprehensive set of growth stages, covering nine primary stages from vegetative to reproductive, ending in complete senescence. Utilizing the BBCH growth stage scale, we documented and standardized the nutritional and reproductive growth stages of pepino at four distinct locations on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. We used linear regression analysis to compare agronomic traits of pepino across these regions, aiming to explore potential correlations between plant phenology and ecological factors. Results revealed that UV intensity and sunshine hours exerted the most significant influence on pepino’s phenological phases, emerging as crucial environmental factors. Evaporation and relative humidity also demonstrated notable impacts. Our findings highlight multi-year and multi-environmental associations between phenology and growth traits, suggesting that climatic differences may impose physiological constraints on the plant’s development. In summary, this study brings clarity to pepino’s growth and development stages, establishing a unified standard for its cultivation and breeding processes. The comprehensive insights gained have far-reaching implications for improving pepino cultivation practices and enhancing adaptability in diverse environmental conditions.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1553-8362
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language English
publishDate 2025-12-01
publisher Taylor & Francis Group
record_format Article
series International Journal of Fruit Science
spelling doaj-art-1ee7889422e440ae91de275d9c9d14602025-01-22T12:30:51ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Fruit Science1553-83621553-86212025-12-01251132710.1080/15538362.2025.2453149Phenological Characteristics and Environmental Factor Associations in Open-Field Cultivation of Pepino on the Qinghai-Tibet PlateauZhichao Hou0Cheng Si1Qiwen Zhong2Haiwang Zhang3Ziran Guo4Guangnan Zhang5Dengkui Shao6Shipeng Yang7Laboratory for Research and Utilization of Germplasm Resources in Qinghai Tibet Plateau, Agriculture and Forestry Sciences Institute of Qinghai University, Xining, ChinaLaboratory for Research and Utilization of Germplasm Resources in Qinghai Tibet Plateau, Agriculture and Forestry Sciences Institute of Qinghai University, Xining, ChinaLaboratory for Research and Utilization of Germplasm Resources in Qinghai Tibet Plateau, Agriculture and Forestry Sciences Institute of Qinghai University, Xining, ChinaLaboratory for Research and Utilization of Germplasm Resources in Qinghai Tibet Plateau, Agriculture and Forestry Sciences Institute of Qinghai University, Xining, ChinaLaboratory for Research and Utilization of Germplasm Resources in Qinghai Tibet Plateau, Agriculture and Forestry Sciences Institute of Qinghai University, Xining, ChinaLaboratory for Research and Utilization of Germplasm Resources in Qinghai Tibet Plateau, Agriculture and Forestry Sciences Institute of Qinghai University, Xining, ChinaLaboratory for Research and Utilization of Germplasm Resources in Qinghai Tibet Plateau, Agriculture and Forestry Sciences Institute of Qinghai University, Xining, ChinaLaboratory for Research and Utilization of Germplasm Resources in Qinghai Tibet Plateau, Agriculture and Forestry Sciences Institute of Qinghai University, Xining, ChinaIn the eastern Tibetan Plateau, the pepino plays a crucial role for environment. However, a challenge is the lack of a standardized system to track its growth stages, making it challenging to compare phenology in different areas. We investigated the growth stages of pepino using the Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt, and Chemical Industry (BBCH) scale as a reference framework. Our study delineated a comprehensive set of growth stages, covering nine primary stages from vegetative to reproductive, ending in complete senescence. Utilizing the BBCH growth stage scale, we documented and standardized the nutritional and reproductive growth stages of pepino at four distinct locations on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. We used linear regression analysis to compare agronomic traits of pepino across these regions, aiming to explore potential correlations between plant phenology and ecological factors. Results revealed that UV intensity and sunshine hours exerted the most significant influence on pepino’s phenological phases, emerging as crucial environmental factors. Evaporation and relative humidity also demonstrated notable impacts. Our findings highlight multi-year and multi-environmental associations between phenology and growth traits, suggesting that climatic differences may impose physiological constraints on the plant’s development. In summary, this study brings clarity to pepino’s growth and development stages, establishing a unified standard for its cultivation and breeding processes. The comprehensive insights gained have far-reaching implications for improving pepino cultivation practices and enhancing adaptability in diverse environmental conditions.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15538362.2025.2453149BBCHpepinoagronomic traitsenvironmentPhenology
spellingShingle Zhichao Hou
Cheng Si
Qiwen Zhong
Haiwang Zhang
Ziran Guo
Guangnan Zhang
Dengkui Shao
Shipeng Yang
Phenological Characteristics and Environmental Factor Associations in Open-Field Cultivation of Pepino on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
International Journal of Fruit Science
BBCH
pepino
agronomic traits
environment
Phenology
title Phenological Characteristics and Environmental Factor Associations in Open-Field Cultivation of Pepino on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
title_full Phenological Characteristics and Environmental Factor Associations in Open-Field Cultivation of Pepino on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
title_fullStr Phenological Characteristics and Environmental Factor Associations in Open-Field Cultivation of Pepino on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
title_full_unstemmed Phenological Characteristics and Environmental Factor Associations in Open-Field Cultivation of Pepino on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
title_short Phenological Characteristics and Environmental Factor Associations in Open-Field Cultivation of Pepino on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
title_sort phenological characteristics and environmental factor associations in open field cultivation of pepino on the qinghai tibet plateau
topic BBCH
pepino
agronomic traits
environment
Phenology
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15538362.2025.2453149
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