PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY OF PEPPERS (Capsicum annumm L.) IN RESPONSE TO SILICON CONCENTRATIONS

Abstract

The effect of silicon fertilization on plant growth is well documented in monocotyledonous species; however, this effect has not been extensively studied in dicotyledonous plants. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different doses of silicon on the morphophysiological, productive, and quality traits of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cv. Quetzal. Four doses of silicon (0, 20, 25 and 30 g plant^-1) were applied using a randomized block design with four replicates per treatment. At 60 days post-transplant, three morphophysiological variables (plant height, stem diameter, and number of leaves), nine productive variables (length, diameter, number, and weight of fruits; fruit biomass, fruit biomass without the placenta; mesocarp thickness; fruit biomass including the placenta with seeds; and yield), and three fruit quality variables (total flavonoids, phenolic content, and antioxidant capacity) were evaluated. The response for all variables was determined using analysis of variance, while the response trend to silicon doses was assessed through regression analysis. Significant differences were observed among silicon concentrations for all variables (P<0.05), with a positive linear trend. Therefore, it can be concluded that the application of 30 g of potassium silicate plant^-1 improves the morphophysiological, productive and quality traits of peppers.