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The experiment was conducted during fall-winter seasons of years 2011-2012 to determine the effects of vermicompost tea (VCT) on growth and productivity of "Hechicero" jalapeñ o pepper plants grown under organic and synthetic fertilization in greenhouse. Five different fertilization forms were applied to plants [F1 = sand + inorganic nutrient solution (control group); F2 = sand + VCT on concentration of 10%; F3 = mixture of sand + compost (ratio 1:1; v:v) + VCT on concentration of 2.5%; F4 = mixture of sand + vermicompost (ratio 1:1; v:v) + VCT on concentration of 2.5% y F5 = mixture of sand + compost + vermicompost (ratio 2:1:1; v:v:v) + VCT on concentration of 2.5%]. Treatments F4 and F5 showed an increased yield of 70 and 45% with regard to the yield obtained with F1; the F1 and F2 yields were not statistically different at the 0.05 significance level. The fruit length and the pericarp thickness were increased until 7.55 and 7.01% in F5, respectively. These results suggest that, since there were differences in yield when using the organic and inorganic nutrient source, VCT combined with mixtures of sand + compost + vermicompost may be considered a successful alternative fertilizer for organic jalapeñ o pepper production in greenhouse.

The aim of this research was to determine the effect of three organic manures (vermicompost, simple compost, compost with gypsum) with four different levels, as sources of fertilization, and mixed with river sand, this was used as an inert material, on the phenolic content, antioxidant capacity and total soluble solids of bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L.). The 12 mixtures formulated, with eight replications, were distributed in a completely randomized design. Data were statistically analyzed by analysis of variance and means were compared by test Tukey 5%. All variables were significantly affected (p ≤ 0.001). Fruits with highest phenolic content were developed in the mixtures M2, M5 and M6 with 538.76, 541.54 and 565.04 mg GAE•100 kg −1 DW, respectively. Antioxidant capacity of fruits was increased with mixtures M2, M5, M6 and M7 with values of 934.48, 942.04, 921.69 and 924.17 μM TEAC•g −1 DW, respectively. The soluble solids content was higher in mixtures M1 and M2 with values of 4.93 and 4.97 ˚Brix, respectively. It was concluded that the variables studied were favored when applying, as sources of fertilization, mixtures of these organic manures with river sand, which could represent a suitable alternative for food production with quality nutraceutical.

Different studies have suggested that the use of vermicompost as part of the plant growth media can provide nutrients and retain moisture while promoting the development of crops. To corroborate this assumption we tested the effects of vermicompost supplementation to tomato (saladette type) under greenhouse conditions. The evaluated treatments included four mixtures (T1, T2, T3, and T4) of vermicompost and river sand, with volume ratios 0:1, 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3, respectively. Physical and chemical tests were performed in each mixture to determine nutritional elements (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, organic matter, pH, texture, cationexchange capacity, electric conductivity, and apparent density) and water holding capacity. Treatment with 0:1 volume ratio (T1) was used as control, and it was fertilized with a nutrient solution [KNO 3 , Ca(NO 3 ) 2 , Mg(NO 3 ) 2 , phosphoric acid concentrate, and multi Maxiquel (Bioagro ®)]. Seeds were sown in polystyrene trays with 200 cavities, padded with peat moss; seedlings were transplanted 37 days after sowing in 20 L black plastic bags. Harvest, including up to the fifth cluster, was performed manually, when the fruits reached a pink color. The treatment effects on tomato were evaluated considering the number of fruits, number of locules, equatorial and polar diameters, pulp thickness, soluble solids, fruit weight and fruit yield. The four treatments were repeated eight times in a completely randomized design. Data were statistically analyzed by analysis of variance and means were separated by the LSD 0.05 test. Five of the variables studied -number of fruits, number of locules, soluble solids, pulp thickness, and yield-showed highly significant difference (P≤0.01) among treatments; the polar diameter showed significant differences (P≤0.05), and both equatorial diameter and weight of fruit were not significantly different among the substrates tested. The maximum yield (50.29 t•ha -1 ) was obtained in treatment T2 with a water volume of 40 L•pot-1, followed by T1 (49.93 t•ha -1 ), applying a water volume of 95.72 L•pot -1 . Derived from the results of the best treatment (T2), and under conditions described, the productivity was estimated in 30.66 kg•m -3 . Since no synthetic fertilizers were used during the crop production, the results indicate that the vermicompost was able to satisfy the nutrient demand of tomato plants and reduces the volume of water required by this crop.