Substrate from vermiculite and cattle manure for ornamental pepper seedling production

Abstract

Substrates with a mixture of two or more materials have better conditions for root development of vegetables seedlings. This research aimed to evaluate the formation of ornamental pepper (cultivars Etna and Pyramid) seedlings in six different combinations between vermiculite (V) and cattle manure (M) (10%M + 90%V; 25%M + 75%V; 40%M + 60%V; 55%M + 45%V; 70%M + 30%V; 85%M + 15%V). The experiment was conducted at Universidade de Mato Grosso do Sul in a completely randomized design in a factorial scheme 6 x 2 (six substrates and two cultivars). The initial growth and emergence of ornamental pepper seedlings were evaluated. The highest amounts of vermiculite favored the emergence of pepper. The highest amounts of cattle manure in the substrate formed the best seedlings, especially the substrate with 30% vermiculite and 70% cattle manure. Cultivar Pirâmide showed more vigorous plants than Etna, being more suitable for the Cassilândia region. The most recommended substrate combination is composed of 30%V + 70%M for ornamental pepper, where the seedlings of the cultivar that best developed on the substrate was the Pirâmide.