Effect of different concentrations of Silice added to the soil in cultivation of open-pit Habanero Chile

Abstract

The ‘Habanero’ hot pepper crop represents an alternative for the agricultural diversification in the location of Tierra Blanca Ver., where the economy has focused around the production of sugar cane. Therefore it is transcendent to design methodologies that optimize production. Under conditions currently grown, yields obtained no more than 5 tons / ha, because of the variability of rainfall and increasing factors that promote the presence of viruses and fungi that affect plant development and consequently production levels. In this work was implemented a fustigation system, and additional to the basic package of nutrition, silicon component was incorporated and evaluated at different concentrations added to the soil in a culture of ‘Habanero’ hot pepper (Kukulcan), in outdoor conditions, in the Experimental Field of the Technological Institute of Tierra Blanca, at 18º26' North latitude and 96º20 ' West longitude. It was established an experimental area of 2450 m², with 1736 plants of density, three concentrations of silicon were applied, 200, 400 and 600 g per plant, each treatment consisted of 434 plants. The variables studied were stem diameter, plant height, and the quantity of flowers and fruits per plant. We found that the presence of silicon induces vegetative development, and improved production yields, to obtain a higher number of fruit per plant. No significant differences were observed between the concentrations of silicon used.