Influence of Different Coir-Based Media and Irrigation Management in a Soilless System on the Agronomic Behaviour of Pepper

Abstract

A factorial experiment, was carried out in a greenhouse with pepper cv. Italverde (Italian type) in soilless culture using coir media that had been already been used for two years. Three media were tested based on ratios of coir dust and coir chips in the following proportions (% by volume respectively); 100:0, 60:40 and 40:60. These were compared under three irrigation schedules: high frequency (HF), medium frequency (MF) and low frequency (LF) derived respectively from a depletion ratio of 5%, 10% and 20 % of saturated substrate, in order to regulate nutrient solution use more efficiently. The results showed that significantly higher commercial yields (early and total yield) were obtained with the 100% coir dust and 60:40 coir dust: coir chip growing media. The greatest commercial yield was achieved with HF and MF frequency irrigation but the advantage was not statistically significant. Malformed fruit was the most important disorder reducing marketable yield, mainly in the 100% coir dust and 60:40 coir dust: coir chip growing media. Blossom-end-rot and sunscald only appeared at the end of this experiment; the highest BER incidence was in the 60:40 coir dust: coir chip substrate. Some statistically interactions between factors were also found. The greatest average marketable weight was obtained by low and medium frequency irrigation. The highest value of irrigation efficiency for marketable production was obtained by low frequency irrigation combined with the 60:40 coir dust: coir chip medium.