Abstract
Among the most used inputs in the seedling production stage, substrate has a higher cost when compared to fertilizers, trays and fungicides. The use of residues in addition to commercial substrates, reduces production costs and promotes greater sustainability in the agricultural and industrial production process. The objective of this study was to evaluate the tannery sludge added to commercial substrate in Capsicum baccatum pepper seedlings production, as well as to identify better proportions of the substrate composition integrated with tannery sludge for this seedling. Pepper seedlings were evaluated growing in substrates with eight different compositions of tannery sludge (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60% and 80%) in commercial substrates. A randomized block design with four replications was used. Plant height, stem diameter, crown diameter, dry matter of shoot and roots were evaluated, and Dickson quality index was obtained. The linear models were predominantly the most significant to explain the developmental response of the seedlings when the tannery sludge was added in the substrate. It was found that alternative substrate can be used in a proportion of 80% of tannery sludge and 20% of commercial substrate and contribute in Capsicum baccatum pepper seedlings production with greater vigor, besides decreasing the cost of these substrates.
Highlights
Pepper belongs to the genus Capsicum and is considered a vegetable widely appreciated as the seasoning and it has as a characteristic some species, fruits with high pungency, resulting in capsaicin production (Kehie et al, 2016)
We evaluated the development of UENF 1417 pepper seedlings from seeds
Data from chemical analysis of tannery sludge indicated the presence of total organic matter (293.1 g dm-3) and calcium (230.2 g dm-3) in a higher percentage which is important for the formation of substrates for quality seedling production (Table 2)
Summary
Pepper belongs to the genus Capsicum and is considered a vegetable widely appreciated as the seasoning and it has as a characteristic some species, fruits with high pungency, resulting in capsaicin production (Kehie et al, 2016). Just like any other olericulture crop, the most important production stage is the seedling stage that ensures quality and successful production in the field (Oliveira et al, 2015). Vol 11, No 16; 2019 seeds, substrate, greenhouse structure, adequate irrigation, among others is of utmost importance to obtain seedlings with high vigor, to be grown in the field. The most used input at the seedling stage is the commercial substrate due to its high nutrient content and sufficient organic matter levels that promotes its usage by olericulture producers (Sediyama et al, 2014). The acquisition of these substrates is one of the factors that most increase the production cost
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