NICKEL IN THE MINERAL COMPOSITION AND YIELD OF BELL PEPPER (Capsicum annuum L.) GROWN IN A SHADE HOUSE

Abstract

Nickel (Ni) is a micronutrient for higher plants; the information about this element and its effects on agricultural crops is scarce. Because of that, horticulture producers in Mexico do not apply Nickel in their production systems. The yield of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum cv. Cannon) grown in a shade house with drip irrigation is affected by the application of Ni²⁺ by altering the nutrimental concentrations in the plant organs. The objective of this study was to evaluate four concentrations of Ni2+ in nutritive solution (NS) (0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mg L^-1) in the mineral composition and yield of bell pepper. The experimental design was complete randomized blocks and four replications. The variables evaluated were the mineral composition of leaves, stems and fruits, along with weight, diameter, length, number and yield of fruits (PF, DF, LF, NF, and RF). The results were analyzed with ANOVA and the averages were compared with the Tukey test (p£0.05). The Ni²⁺ reduced the concentrations of Cu and Zn in leaves and increased the foliar concentrations of Ni, Fe, Mg, and N in fruits. Although there were no significant differences in yield, highest production (71.32 Mg ha^-1) was obtained with 1.0 mg Ni²⁺ L^-1 in the NS, higher by 10.63 Mg ha-1 than that of the treatment without Ni²⁺ (60.69 Mg ha^-1). The nickel was not detected in the fruits, which can be consumed fresh without risks for human health. The application of 1.0 mg Ni²⁺ L^-1 in the NS increased by 14.9% the yield of bell pepper grown in a shade house using drip irrigation.