Production and quality of habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense J.) with chemical and organic fertilization

Abstract

The search for sustainable and low-cost alternatives for the production of crops, particularly the habanero pepper, whose demand has sparked great economic interest, has led to a focus on organic amendments as a source of supply of nutrients for plants. Reason why, the objective of the present investigation, was to compare the effect of the earthworm humus or earthworm compost with respect to a standard treatment with conventional chemical fertilization, in the yield and quality of the fruit in the cultivation of habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense J.). The treatments consisted of substrates based on 100 % earthworm humus and a combination of 50 % earthworm humus + 50 % soil; 100 % soil was used as control with the supply of chemical fertilizers. The number of fruits, the quality of the fruit (length, diameter, weight of the fruits) of three cuts (harvests), as well as the yield per plant were evaluated. The results showed that the plants cultivated with earthworm humus do not affect the yield and quality of the fruits, which suggests it as a low cost alternative and that it also contributes positively to environmental care.