SEEDLING QUALITY OF ‘POBLANO’ PEPPER IN THE SIERRA NEVADA OF PUEBLA, MÉXICO

Abstract

Production of ‘Poblano’ pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) in the Sierra Nevada of Puebla has decreased during the last years as consequence of low seedling quality, among other problems. The objective of this research was to identify management practices for improving seedling quality regarding seedling health and vigor produced on nurseries, and to test the efficiency of forest soil obtained in the region as substrate for seedling production in greenhouse. Germination percent, seedling height, and root and shoot dry weight were measured in seedlings grown at different combinations of: substrate, variety, fertilization and primed or untreated seed sown in trays, under greenhouse conditions; and soil disinfection, variety, fertilization and primed or untreated seed, in uncovered (field) nursery conditions. Results in greenhouse showed greater percentage of seed germination, greater plant height and greater amount of dry matter in seedlings grown in forest soil substrate compared to seedlings grown in a mixture of “peat moss” and forest soil. Under field conditions hot water treatment reduced the percentage of diseased seedlings. Both under field and greenhouse conditions, taller plants with a higher amount of dry matter were obtained when fertilized with the formula 16N-40P-13K and a foliar application of a comercial nutrient solution. It is then possible to improve ‘Poblano’ seedling quality in greenhouse nurseries by applying appropriate fertilization doses, and using forest soil as substrate, while in field nurseries soil disinfection with hot water might reduce disease incidence.