Production and photosynthetic pigments of bell peppers all big (Capsicum annuum L.) subjected to fertilization with biochar and nitrogen

Abstract

The Northeastern semi-arid region provides favorable conditions for bell pepper cultivation, but most often the low availability of soil nutrients to plants constitutes a limiting factor to production. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the production and photosynthetic pigments of bell pepper subjected to increasing levels of fertilization with biochar and nitrogen. The experiment was conducted in pots (Citropote®) under greenhouse conditions. Treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design, in 4 x 4 factorial scheme, relative to four doses of biochar (0; 7; 14 and 21 m3 ha-1) and four doses of nitrogen (0; 40; 80 and 120 kg ha-1), with three replicates. Fertilization with 70 kg ha-1 of nitrogen and 14 m3 ha-1 of biochar promotes highest yield of bell pepper in terms of number of fruits and fruit fresh weight per plant. The highest contents of photosynthetic pigments were obtained in plants fertilized with 70 kg ha-1 of nitrogen associated with 10 m3 ha-1 of biochar. Biochar doses above 15.54 m3 ha-1 negatively affect the longitudinal diameter of bell pepper fruits. The recommendation of 120 kg ha-1 of nitrogen and 20 m3 ha-1 of biochar reduces bell pepper production and photosynthetic pigments.