COMMERCIAL ORGANIC FERTILIZERS, LOCAL MANURES AND CHEMICAL FERTILIZATION IN THE PRODUCTION OF POBLANO PEPPER SEEDLINGS

Abstract

Production of good quality seedlings largely depends on the type of substrate used, the proportion in which their components are mixed, the type and dose of fertilization applied and the nutritional contribution of each component for the initial development of the seedling. The objective of the present study was to determine the best combination of commercial organic fertilizers (Solep and Fernatol), local manures (cattle and sheep) and peat (peat moss), along with chemical fertilization (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 g L^-1 of the 20N-18P-20K formula) to produce Poblano pepper seedlings. To determine the quality of the seedlings, variables such as the slenderness and Dickson quality indexes, the ratio of the dry weight of the aerial part and the dry weight of the root, among others, were recorded. It was found that the commercial
organic fertilizer Solep, applied in a proportion of 20 % of the volume of the substrate produced seedlings of good quality reflected by larger height, diameter and root length, but mainly by the slenderness and Dickson quality indexes. The application of chemical fertilizer at a concentration of 1.0 g L^-1 of the formula 20-18-20 favored the obtaining of good quality seedlings. The proportion of commercial organic fertilizer or local manure used as substrate components should not exceed 40 % of volume of the final mixture.