Tasas reducidas de fertilización química y un bioestimulante microbiano en frutos de chile habanero rojo (Capsicum chinense Jacq.)

Abstract

Background. The habanero pepper is a crop that requires high chemical fertilization to significantly increase its production, such that a significant loss in production is related to nutrient deficiency. In addition to this, producers increase the doses and use of synthetic fertilizers, which can be inefficient, since a large amount of the applied fertilizer escapes into the environment through leaching, contaminating water and soil. Objective. To evaluate the effect of a microbial biostimulant on the size of habanero pepper fruits and their production under reduced chemical fertilization rates. Methodology. The study was carried out at the Úrsulo Galván Technological Institute from May to December 2024. Five treatments were evaluated: T1) 100 % chemical (FQ100); T2 75 % chemical + biostimulant (FQ75+B); T3) 50 % chemical + biostimulant (FQ50 + B); T4) chemical 75 % (FQ75) and T5) chemical 50 % (FQ50). The biostimulant was formulated from a combination of bacteria (Bacillus subtilis FDMC1, Stenotrophomonas sp. JAG2, B. wiedmannii JAG3, Priestia megaterium JAFV4, and P. megaterium AERM5). The response variables were weight, equatorial and polar diameter of the fruits, in addition to the production in weight of the total fruits per plant per treatment. Results. A decrease in fertilization dose from 75 % to 50 % without biostimulant applications reduce the size and weight of the habanero pepper fruits, as well as the production per plant; however, with the applications of the biostimulant and a chemical fertilization at 75 %, the weight and dimensions of the fruit and the production per plant were maintained. Reduce chemical fertilization rates, without biostimulant applications, significantly affected the yield and quality of red habanero peppers. Implications. Applications of the microbial biostimulant resulted in a 25 % reduction in chemical fertilization, achieving habanero pepper fruit production and quality equal to that achieved with 100 % fertilization. Conclusions. Applications of the biostimulant with reduced fertilization rates of 50 % and 75 % in red habanero peppers significantly increased fruit yield and size compared to those obtained without applications.