ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the addition of poultry litter on growth, biomass yield, flavonoid and phenol content, and antioxidant activity in leaves of pink pepper. The experiment was carried out at the Federal University of Grande Dourados, in Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul state, from October 2009 to May 2010. Pink pepper was grown in single or double row in soil with incorporated poultry litter at doses of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 t ha-1. Treatments were arranged as 2 x 5 factorial in a randomized block design with four replications. There was a significant interaction between the doses of poultry litter and evaluation times for plant height and chlorophyll content. A linear increase in leaf area, fresh and dry weight of leaves and diameter of main stems with increasing doses of poultry litter was observed. Plants grown in single row showed higher fresh weight of stem with increasing doses of poultry litter. Poultry litter at 15 and 20 t ha-1 promoted an increase in flavonoid and phenolic contents in the leaves. No significant effect on the antioxidant activity was observed by the chemical method using DPPH. Therefore, it is recommended the cultivation of pink pepper plants with double row and 20 t ha-1 of poultry litter to higher growth, biomass yield, and flavonoid and phenol content.
Keywords:
organic waste; pink pepper; plant density
