EFFECT OF LEVAZE ON PEPPER (Capsicum annuum L.) PRODUCTION AND QUALITY

Abstract

Levaza is a by-product generated from the industrial fermentation of molasses to obtain and produce yeast for baking, currently it has applications in agriculture with a view to producing healthier and more nutritious crops. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of the leach to be used as organic fertilizer in the production of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) in protected agriculture. Five treatments were evaluated: 1) Absolute control without fertilizer application (TA), 2) Chemical control based on regional fertilization (TQ), 3) 0.5 m3 ha-1, 4) 1.0 m3 ha-1 and 5) 1.5 m3 ha-1 of leech, in a randomized block experimental design with an acceptable error of 5%. The effect of these treatments on yield components and quality components in greenhouse pepper cultivation was measured. The variables yield and resistance to penetration increased significantly with the application of leach, in the three concentrations, with respect to TA and TQ. Regarding the quality components, the treatments with 0.5 and 1.0 m3 ha-1 of leach obtained the highest concentrations of phenolic compounds, protein and vitamin C. These results indicate that the leach is appropriate for use as organic fertilizer in pepper. under protected agriculture favoring the increase of the yield and the quality of the crop.