Effect of aqueous extracts of Brachiaria decumbens on the development of ornamental pepper

Abstract

The use of natural plant growth promoters can be an effective, sustainable, and low-cost alternative to reduce input costs for the production of ornamental pepper. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Brachiaria decumbens aqueous extract on the growth of ornamental pepper (Capsicum frutescens). The experiment was carried out in the Plant Nursery sector of the Federal Institute of Espirito Santo (IFES), located in the municipality of Santa Teresa, in the Serrana region of the Espirito Santo State (Brazil). The study was conducted using a randomized block design (RBD) with four replicates in a 4×2 factorial scheme with four doses of the Brachiaria decumbens extract (0, 50, 75 and 100%) and two application methods (edaphic application or foliar sprays). The number of days to flowering, plant height, leaf number, fruit number, leaf area, fruit, root, shoot, and total dry mass were determined. According to the results, the variables number of fruits and root dry mass had no significant effect on the interaction, with the best results found with the edaphic application when compared to the foliar sprays. When considering interaction, the application of 100% of the extract reduced the number of days to flowering for both edaphic application and foliar sprays. For growth variables, this same dose promoted the best results for most of the variables. Based on the results, the edaphic application of B. decumbens at 100% dosage is recommended to reduce the number of days to flowering and promote better development of ornamental pepper.

Keywords

• Capsicum frutescens
• plant life cycle reduction
• flowering
• early plant development