The Effect of Humic-Based Biostimulants on the Yield and Quality Parameters of Chili Peppers
Ivana Mezeyová,
Ivana Kollárová,
Marcel Golian,
Július Árvay,
Ján Mezey,
Miroslav Šlosár,
Lucia Galovičová,
Robert Rosa,
Martin Bakalár,
Tereza Horečná
Affiliations
Ivana Mezeyová
Institute of Horticulture, Horticulture and Landscape Engineering Faculty, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Trieda Andreja Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
Ivana Kollárová
Institute of Horticulture, Horticulture and Landscape Engineering Faculty, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Trieda Andreja Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
Marcel Golian
Institute of Horticulture, Horticulture and Landscape Engineering Faculty, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Trieda Andreja Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
Július Árvay
Institute of Food Sciences, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Trieda Andreja Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
Ján Mezey
Institute of Horticulture, Horticulture and Landscape Engineering Faculty, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Trieda Andreja Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
Miroslav Šlosár
Institute of Horticulture, Horticulture and Landscape Engineering Faculty, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Trieda Andreja Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
Lucia Galovičová
Institute of Horticulture, Horticulture and Landscape Engineering Faculty, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Trieda Andreja Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
Robert Rosa
Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Siedlce, B. Prusa 14, 08-110 Siedlce, Poland
Martin Bakalár
Institute of Horticulture, Horticulture and Landscape Engineering Faculty, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Trieda Andreja Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
Tereza Horečná
Institute of Horticulture, Horticulture and Landscape Engineering Faculty, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Trieda Andreja Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
Chili peppers are globally cultivated for their rich bioactive compound profile. This study investigates the impact of two biostimulants, Humix® and Energen, on Capsicum chinense ‘Habanero Orange’ and Capsicum annuum ‘Kristian’, focusing on quantitative and qualitative parameters. Conducted over two years with three annual harvests, the research assesses the effects of biostimulant application on yield, fresh fruit number, fruit weight, drying ratio, capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, and ascorbic acid content (via HPLC-DAD analysis), as well as carotenoid levels (via spectrophotometric analysis). Biostimulant application significantly increased (p ≤ 0.05) total yields and capsaicin levels. Harvest timing also influenced dihydrocapsaicin and capsaicin levels, with the third harvest showing the highest values (p ≤ 0.001). The effects on ascorbic acid and carotenoids were variable and depended on genotype, harvest, and treatment. Thus, our study provides insights into the dynamic responses of Capsicum species to biostimulants under variable climatic conditions, contributing new knowledge to agricultural practices and the scientific understanding of biostimulant effects in Capsicum production.
