Cattle manure and humic substances improve organic bell pepper production in the Semiarid Region of Brazil¹

Esterco bovino e substâncias húmicas estimulam a produção de pimentão orgânico no semiárido brasileiro

ABSTRACT

Bell pepper is a globally important vegetable. The use of humic substances can enhance nutrient absorption efficiency, reducing the amounts of organic residues applied to the soil. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate cattle manure rates combined with humic substance rates to increase bell pepper production. A randomized block design with four replicates was used, in a 4 × 3 factorial arrangement consisted of four cattle manure doses (8, 18, 28, and 38 Mg ha^-1) and three humic substance doses (0, 8, and 12 kg ha^-1). Humic substances affected bell pepper production characteristics; the highest mean fruit weight per plant (140.02 g) and fruit diameter (75.73 mm) were obtained when applying 8 Mg ha^-1 of manure combined with 8 kg ha^-1 of humic substances. Similarly, the greatest fruit length (80.94 mm) was found when applying 8 Mg ha^-1 of manure combined with 12 kg ha^-1 of humic substances. The highest yields (1.2 kg per plant and 60.14 Mg ha^-1) were obtained when applying 38 Mg ha^-1 of manure combined with 12 kg ha^-1 of humic substances. The combination of humic substances and cattle manure increased the organic production of bell peppers under the edaphoclimatic conditions of the Semiarid region of Brazil.

Key words:
Capsicum annuum L.; organic management; leonardite; biostimulant

HIGHLIGHTS:

Humic substances improve bell pepper production characteristics.

Excess manure reduces crop yield; thus, this study provides valuable information for production cost reduction.

Application of humic substances reduces the need for large quantities of cattle manure when growing organic bell peppers.