Sweet pepper seedlings production using fertigation by capillarity

Abstract

The quality of seedlings is a key factor to be more vigorous and productive plants, but it is still a step in agricultural production in constant-evolution. This work was to evaluate the production of five pepper cultivars seedlings in coconut fiber and fertigated with different nutrient solutions. We used a completely randomized design in a factorial 5 x 5, with four replications. The treatments resulted from the combination of five pepper cultivars (Yellow SF 134, Cascadura Ikeda, Yolo Wonder, Ruby Giant and All Big) with five nutrient concentrations in nutrient solution (25, 50, 75, 100 and 125%), using the floating system. The seedlings were evaluated for the following development parameters: height, number of leaves, main root length, stem diameter and total dry mass. All were affected by the nutrient solutions, however, the responses were varied according to cultivate variable and evaluated. The concentration of nutrients in fertigation solution should be determined according to the cultivar. The cultivars Amarelo SF 134, Cascadura Ikeda, Yolo Wonder and Rubi Gigante had more vigorous seedlings that grow All Big. It is recommended nutrient solution with 70% of the strength for the Amarelo SF 134 and All Big; and 70% for the cultivars Cascadura Ikeda, Yolo Wonder and Yolo Wonder.