Red and Brown Soils Increase the Development and Content of Nutrients in Habanero Pepper Subjected to Irrigation Water with High Electrical Conductivity

Abstract

<jats:p>The characteristics of the soil in the Peninsula of Yucatán confer unique organoleptic properties to the habanero pepper (<jats:italic>Capsicum chinense</jats:italic> Jacq.), and thus this entity possesses the denomination of origin of the species, making these chilis the most coveted, nationally and internationally. However, the extreme microtopographic variation distinguishing the Peninsula complicates the transfer of technologies and the successful establishment of agricultural practices. Maya farmers of the region identify the brown soils as preferable for the cultivation of this chili, although there is some controversy among the farmers regarding the best yields when the quality of the water used for irrigation is poor. No studies of the effect of soil type on this plant have been carried out. This work evaluated the impact of three types of soil of the Peninsula (red, brown, and black) on growth, fruit production, and nutrient content in soils and plants, during different phenological stages. The results indicate that the red and brown soils were the best for the growth and production of the fruit. In the black soil, it was possible to observe greater retention and accumulation of sodium applied in the water used for irrigation and in the macronutrients N, P, K, which may have led to a negative effect in the development of the fruit in these plants. Moreover, the plants growing in red and brown soils seem to make a more efficient use of the nutrients, presenting higher values of N, P, and K in their tissues in the flowering-fructification stage. These results are particularly useful in the realization of agricultural plans with a lower consumption of fertilizers, which allows an increase in yield, particularly if we take into account the enormous problems of saline intrusion worldwide and in this region.</jats:p>

Effect of the Soil and Ripening Stage in Capsicum chinense var. Jaguar on the Content of Carotenoids and Vitamins

“…This might be because the predominant effect of the ripening stage could mask some possible effect of the soil. On the other hand, the effect of PTD on the production of carotenoids and vitamins may be caused by the life cycle of the plant, a factor that is associated with the absorption of nutrients, the synthesis and the distribution of secondary metabolites (for example capsaicinoids) [23]. This behavior is similar to changes previously found in concentrations of capsaicinoids and polyphenols of Habanero peppers at different PTDs [22,36].…”

“…The results are presented in Table A1 of the Appendix A. For fertilization, the methodology of Medina-Lara et al [23] was used, which is recommended for Habanero peppers cultivated in soils of Yucatan to develop an adequate production of fruits. Fertilizer Triple 18 Ultrasol ® (SQM, Santiago de Chile, Chile) composed of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium at a concentration of 18% was used after 10 post-transplant days (PTD).…”

“…After 20 PTD and before floral initiation, a growth regulator containing gibberellin, cytokinin and auxin (Biozyme ® -TF, Arysta LifeScience, Guatemala City, Guatemala) was sprayed (16 mL diluted in 16 L of water) once a week. Irrigation was applied twice a week during the first 15 days after post- For fertilization, the methodology of Medina-Lara et al [23] was used, which is recommended for Habanero peppers cultivated in soils of Yucatan to develop an adequate production of fruits. Fertilizer Triple 18 Ultrasol ® (SQM, Santiago de Chile, Chile) composed of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium at a concentration of 18% was used after 10 post-transplant days (PTD).…”

Phytochemical Characterization of By-Products of Habanero Pepper Grown in Two Different Types of Soils from Yucatán, Mexico

“…The difference in the levels of polyphenols that was detected in the analyzed samples could be due to the association between the function of the compounds in the plant’s life cycle and vegetative phase. It may also be related to several other factors that can influence this behavior, such as the climate, time of year, type of soil, type of plant organ, and, in this case, the temperature, and time conditions of the extraction [ 15 , 20 , 31 , 32 ].…”

Polyphenols Content in Capsicum chinense Fruits at Different Harvest Times and Their Correlation with the Antioxidant Activity

“…Water from a local well was used for irrigation. The electrical conductivity of the water oscillated from 2.8 to 3.4 mS. For fertilization, the methodology of Medina-Lara et al [ 38 ] was used, which is recommended for Habanero pepper cultivated on the soils of Yucatan, with a formula of 120N-100P-150 K kg·ha −1 (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium). The fertilizer used after 10 post-transplant days (PTD) was the Triple 18 Ultrasol ® (SQM, Santiago de Chile, Chile) composed of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium at a concentration of 18%; this was applied in the irrigation with water twice a week.…”