Abstract

TUCUCH-HAAS, C. J. et al. Production and quality of habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) with different NH₄⁺/NO₃^- ratios and size of substrate particles. Terra Latinoam [online]. 2012, vol.30, n.1, pp.9-15. ISSN 2395-8030.

In Mexico, habanero pepper is widely consumed especially in the States of Yucatan, Quintana Roo, Campeche and Tabasco. Yucatan is one of the first places of importance this vegetables. Hydroponic systems are an important alternative to replace traditional methods in commercial production, in which the substrate is a very important component. In hydroponic systems the absorption of nitrogen (N) by plant mainly occurs in the form of nitrate (NO3-) and ammonium (NH4+) or as a compound neutral charge of low molecular weight in the form of urea and some amino acids. The utilization of high ammonium/nitrate ratios limits the growth of plants but growth is enhanced by a low ratios. The objective of this study was to increase yield and quality of the fruit of habanero pepper. The research was conducted on the greenhouse facilities of Colegio de Postgraduados located at Montecillo, Mexico. As substrate we utilized a red volcano graved locally know as tezontle with four particles size: 2-3, 5-10, 10-20 mm diameter and one without screening. For the evaluation of NH4+/NO3- ratio (0/100, 10/90, 20/80, 30/70) we used the nutrient solution Steiner as source of the rest essential nutrients. The experimental design utilized was the completely randomized and treatments are the combination of 4 particle size and 4 NH4+/NO3- ratios. The higher yield was found for tezontle with particle size of 10-20 mm in combination with a NH4+/NO3- ratio of 10/90% respectively, in which yield was 302.1 g plant-1 on three harvest events. The combination of tezontle without screening and 100/0% NH4+/NO3- ratio, showed the lowest yield; 76.5 g plant-1.

Keywords : hydroponics; plant nutrition; nitrogen; protected agriculture; vegetables.

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