Formation of pepper seedlings on a substrate formulated by carnauba (Copernicia prunifera Mill.) residue

• DOI: 10.21475/ajcs.24.18.05.p3722
• Publication Date: 2024-09-05T07:25:27Z
• Authors: Kleber Veras Cord...; Paula Sara Teixei...; Ramon Yuri Ferrei...; João Pedro Santos...; Marcos de Oliveir...; Geisiane Silva Sousa; Rafael Silva Marchão; Raissa Rachel Sal...; Edmilson Igor Ber...

The consumption of pepper in Brazil stands out in several sectors of the economy, either in natura or processed form, due to its characteristics of profitability and added value. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the biometric characteristics of gold pepper seedlings produced on substrates containing different proportions of carnauba (Copernicia prunifera Mill.) bagana. The proportions of the substrates were: 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% carnauba bagana, plus soil. The following were evaluated: percentage of emergence, number of leaves; leaf area; plant height; stem diameter; root length; root volume; fresh and dry root mass and dry and fresh shoot mass. The effect of bagana on the pepper plant was observed and the variables studied showed responses mainly with the substrates containing 80% and 100% bagana, including the percentage of emergence, plant height, stem diameter, leaf area, root volume, mass fresh shoot and root, dry shoot weight and Dickson's quality index. The substrate with 100% bagana provided a higher leaf area of 85%, expressive growth in height, diameter and root length, compared to control. The ability of the substrate to retain water and the availability of nutrients may be the main factor, while the contents of organic matter and other nutrients available in the carnauba bagana may have been fundamental in the performance of both the aerial part and the root system. Thus, it is concluded that the use of carnauba bagana can be indicated as a substrate in the formation of gold pepper seedlings. Hence, application of of 100% carnauba bagana is recommended for the production of pepper cultivar gold.