Fruit and seed characteristics of chili huacle (Capsicum annuum l.) produced in hydroponics

Abstract

The Huacle chili (Capsicum annuum L.) is an endemic vegetable from Oaxaca, Mexico with low yield. The objective of this study was to evaluate three concentrations of Steiner solution: 10, 15 and 20 meq L–1 in the morphometric characteristics of fruits and in the quality of Huacle chili seeds, important parameters for the production and conservation of the species. The experiment was carried out in macro tunnel with polyethylene cover and 30% shade mesh. A completely random design with 50 repetitions per treatment was used, the experimental unit was one plant per 20 L polyethylene bag with agrolita® substrate. The variables evaluated in fruit: dry weight, length, width, thickness of pericarp. In seeds: weight and number of seeds, area, length, width, weight of 1,000 seeds, moisture content, viability, percentage of germination and accelerated aging. The characteristics in the fruit and seeds of the Huacle chili were statistically higher (P ≤ 0,05) with the application to the plants of the Steiner solution of 20 meq L–1. Fruits with higher dry weight (5,56 g), length (7,1 cm) and width (4,21 cm). Likewise, the seeds were of greater physical and physiological quality, showing an area of 15,9 mm2, length of 4,9 mm, 6,19 g in the weight of 1,000 seeds, seedlings with the largest radicle (5,02 cm), 96% viability and germination. In all three treatments, the accelerated aging of the seeds was 80% germination, a desirable characteristic for the reproduction and conservation of the species.