Growth andyieldofsemi-hydroponic bell pepper underdesalination waste-water and organic and mineralfertilization

Abstract

In a scenario of water scarcity in semiarid regions, it is imperative to design food production systems that use different sources of water. The waste of desaltersis a potential source, especially when combined with the hydroponics technique that includes the supply of nutrient solution as a source of water and nutrients. In addition, other techniques such as enhanced organic matter with biofertilizer can complement this low-quality water use strategy. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the possible dampening effect of biofertilizers in the open system of hydroponic culture of pepper owing to the increase in water salinity. The study was conducted at the Teaching Unit, Research and Extension, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Ceará, Limoeiro do Norte Campus. The experimental design was a factorial 5 × 4 randomized block for five saline water concentration sand three doses of biofertilizers and one control with mineral fertilizer, and four replicates totaling 80 experimental units with 3 plants per plot. The variables analyzed were number of fruits per plant, production, and length and width of the fruit. All production variables declined linearly with increasing salinity. In addition, the biofertilizer did not attenuate the deleterious effects of salinity as shown by the productivity data. The fertilization with mineral fertilizers produced greater yields, followed by application of 50%, 100%, and 150% of the biofertilizer dose.