Behavior of chile pepper Húngaro (Capsicum annuum) in mixtures of vermicompost-sand under protected conditions

Abstract

Work was carried out to determine optimal concentration of the mixture vermicompost: sand (VC:S, by volume) which meets nutritional requirements of the cultivation of chile pepper type Hungaro (Capsicum annum) under protected conditions. The mixtures evaluated were four combinations of VC:S with ratios 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1 and a control 0:1 (sand with nutrient solution). The variables evaluated were plant height and basal stem diameter, in the fruit: length, equatorial diameter, pericarp thickness, number of locules, weight, and yield. The experimental design was of randomized blocks with five replications. Order to determine the treatment effects on the evaluated variables ANOVA was applied and averages were compared by the Tukey test(5%). It was established that of the variables evaluated en chile pepper as plant height, basal stem diameter, fruit length, pericarp thickness, fruit weight and yield had significant differences (P≤0.01), while equatorial diameter and number of locules did not show any statistical differences between treatments evaluated. The ratio of 1:1 by volume of VC:S was most appropriate mixture for development of chile pepper type Hungaro in protected conditions.