Application of floating culture system in chili pepper (Capsicum annum L.) during prolonged flooding period at riparian wetland in Indonesia

Abstract

Floating culture system (FCS) is the only feasible way for crop cultivation during high and prolonged flooding period at riparian wetlands. Objective of this research was to evaluate growth and yield of chili pepper cultivated using three different FCS during high flooding period at tropical riparian wetland. Floating rafts were constructed using used plastic bottles. Dimension of the raft was 2m x 1m with load capacity of 60 kg m-2 ; therefore each raft can carry 120 kg dead weight of growing media and chili pepper grown on it. Chili pepper used was CK9856 variety. Three FCS treatments applied were: P 1 , with gunny sack layer placed at interface between water surface and growing media; P 2 , without gunny sack at the interface; and P 3 , bottom part of growing media was immersed in water at 2-3 cm depth. These treatments were compared to P 0 , conventionally cultivated chili pepper as control. Result of this study revealed that chili pepper cultivated using FCS (P 1 , P 2 , and P 3) significantly outperformed those of conventionally cultivated (P 0) as indicated by higher growth and yield. Among FCS treatments, P 2 produced the highest marketable yield (248.9 g plant-1). Therefore, the P 2 is recommended for cultivation of chili pepper by smallholder farmers at riparian wetlands during high and prolonged flooding period.

Inclusive and Ecologically-Sound Food Crop Cultivation at Tropical Non-Tidal Wetlands in Indonesia

“…There were some promising results from the recent experiments, such as positive effects of biochar application on rice yield (Lakitan et al, 2018a), tolerance of some vegetable crops to shallow water table , and a successful test in floating culture of chili pepper (Siaga et al, 2018). However, these results are not conclusive yet, since they need to be tested for repeatability and onsite tests yet to be conducted.…”

Decaying Utricularia-biomass versus soil-based substrate for production of high quality pre-transplanted rice seedlings using floating seedbeds

“…The raft was tested for its stability and carrying capacity (buoyant force) in outdoor experimental pools. Test procedures were conducted according to Siaga et al (2018). Carrying capacity of the raft was varied, depending on thickness of the raft.…”

Arboreal Entomophagous Arthropods of Rice Insect Pests Inhabiting Adaptive Vegetables and Refugia in Freshwater Swamps of South Sumatra

“…During dry season, they grow rice (Lakitan et al, 2018) or adaptive vegetables (Lakitan et al, 2019) or mixed cropping between rice and adaptive vegetables. Some adaptive vegetables in freshwater swamps are cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) ( Article History: Baruah, Vadivelu, Raja, & Sarkar, 2010), cucumber (Cucumis sativus) (Baptiste & Smardon, 2012), ridged gourd (Luffa acutangula) and bitter melon (Momordica charantia) (Widuri et al, 2016), chili pepper (Capsicum annum L.) (Siaga et al, 2018) common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) (Susilawati & Lakitan, 2019), and tomatoes (Emile, Honorine, Thomas, & Marie-Anne, 2012). The vegetables planted around the rice fields usually have multiple functions.…”