Production and quality of bell pepper fruits grown under saline stress in different substrates

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the salinity effect on the production and quality of bell pepper fruits (Capsicum annuum L.) grown in different substrates. The experimental design adopted was randomized blocks, in a 3 × 4 factorial scheme, with three substrates {coconut fiber, sand and mixture [coconut fiber + sand (1:1)]}, and four salinity levels of the nutrient solution (2.2; 3.5; 4.5 and 5.5 dS/m), with three replicates. The first fruit harvest was 60 days after transplanting (DAT) and the others weekly. The following variables were evaluated: number of fruits (marketable, unmarketable and total), average mass of marketable fruits, fruit production (marketable and total), soluble solid content, titratable acidity, soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio, vitamin C and fruit firmness. The largest fruit production occurred with coconut fiber (947.27 g/plant) and mixture (763.71 g/plant). The type of substrate has little influence on the quality of bell pepper fruits produced under salinity stress up to 4.5 dS/m. Coconut fiber and mixture are the most recommended substrates for bell pepper production under salinity stress up to 3.5 dS/m.