Quality and capsaicinoid concentration on genotypes of Serrano pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) produced under organic fertilization

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of threeorganic fertilization sources on the agronomic and biochemical qualitiesof four genotypes of Serrano pepper. The experiment was performedat the field in Gomez Palacio, Durango (Mexico). The capsaicinoids(CAP´s) are compounds responsible of the pungency ofthe peppers, and they are valuable for health and food and cosmeticfood. The organic treatments applied were: solarized bovine manure(60 Mg/ha), vermicompost (10 Mg/ha) and poultry manure (5 Mg/ha). A non-fertilized treatment was used as control. The evaluatedvariables were: length, diameter and individual weight on fruits, andcapsaicin and dihidrocapsaicin concentrations in pulp and seeds. Theresults showed significant differences among treatments in the evaluatedvariables, as well as regarding the fertilization treatments. Thegenotype Don Diego I fertilized with vermicompost had the largerfruit weight, while the genotypes Don Vicente and Don Diego Ishowed the highest values of length, diameter and individual fruitweight without considering the fertilization source. Regarding the3 organic treatments applied, the genotype Don Vicente fertilizedwith poultry manure had the highest concentration of capsaicinoids.The organic materials evaluated can be applied as a nutritional sourcefor production of Serrano pepper in arid zones, obtaining the highestfruit quality by fertilization with vermicompost. The genotypes DonDiego I and Pepper Don Vicente obtained the highest capsaicinoidconcentration.