Yield and fruit quality response of sweet pepper plants cultivated in environmentally friendly substrates

Summary

This field trial evaluated the agronomic performance and fruit quality of sweet pepper cultivated in four environmentally friendly soilless substrates as alternatives to soil-based systems, with irrigation management standardised to coconut fibre substrate specifications. Drainage and nutrient retention profiles differed significantly between substrates, but yield and most fruit quality parameters showed comparable results, suggesting that substrate-specific irrigation and nutrient management protocols could be developed to optimise performance with alternative media. Findings support the practical substitution of banned soil fumigation practices with tailored soilless cultivation systems.

Regional applicability

This study was conducted in Spain and focuses on pepper cultivation in Mediterranean or temperate horticultural conditions. The findings are moderately transferable to United Kingdom glasshouse production, particularly for protected cultivation of sweet peppers, though UK growers would need to adapt substrate recommendations to local water availability and cost structures; coconut fibre may be preferred in the UK due to established supply chains and agronomic knowledge, but the study validates alternative substrates (particularly rice hulls) as viable where economic or environmental considerations favour their use.

Key measures

Drainage volume (%), fruit shape index, pulp thickness, colour, pulp firmness, total leaf nitrogen, total stem nitrogen, total fruit nitrogen, total root nitrogen, marketable fruit yield

Outcomes reported

The study compared yield and fruit quality characteristics of sweet pepper grown in four different soilless substrates (coconut fibre, rice hulls, urea formaldehyde foam, and rice hull mixed with polyacrylamide). Key measurements included drainage rates, fruit morphology, pulp characteristics, leaf and root nutrient content, and marketable yield.

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