Sweet Peppers Production In Hydroponics.

An overview

Hydroponics used to be considered a system where no growing media was needed at all. But today it’s accepted that a soilless growing medium is often used to support the plant root system physically and provide for a favorable buffer of solution around the root system. (Devries 2003).

Sweet peppers, also called bell peppers and even some chili peppers all belong to the species Capsicum annuum.

Cultivars of these plants produce fruits in many different colors and shapes. Usually, the colors range from red to yellow and orange, but more exotic colors include purple, white, and lime green. The fruits are also frequently consumed in its unripe form when it's still green.

An example of the tweak system of Coco coir+Rice hull Drip Irrigation system is explained below

The materials for the grow system includes:

Rods, Mulching film Shade Net Irrigation tube , Binding wire, Storage tank (2000litres), Thumb buckle, Grow bags, Steel rods, Rice hulls, Insect nets Hydroponic system Agro-chemicals, U-tight, Coco peats, etc.

Having gotten an idea of the project's materials, let's dive into preplanting procedures.

Pre-planting Procedures Include:

Pre-planting (sowed 1000 plants) procedures includes:

N.B: All things equal with norturing in the nursery. Usually Bell peppers can spend up to 6weeks in the nursery before transplanting.

• Fumigation of the greenhouse

  

• Set up the irrigation system + lay the mulching films

• Arrange the perforated bags with 50cm intra-spacing after stuffing with coco coir/rice hulls

• Stake with bamboo or Iron rods.

• Transplanting the pepper seedlings into the substrates.

  

• Prepare to iterate the fertigation, irrigation, and flushing procedures of the substrate from time to time.

Climatic Requirements:

Climate is one of the most important factors to consider when determining planting times. Production of a pepper crop depends on the length of a growing season with optimal temperatures.

The plant itself stops growing at temperatures below 10° - 12°C, and at 6°C, the leaves can die, and flower abortion will start. The same will happen when temperatures increase to over 35°C.

A pepper crop requires very stable temperature ranges with minimums and maximums not being too far apart. Temperature variation might result in poor fruit quality or reduced yields. Optimum temperatures would be: Day time: 25 - 28°C Night time: 16 - 18°C.

Relative Humidity:

For the development of the pepper plant, relative humidity between 65 – 85% is considered optimal. High relative humidity levels negatively influence pollen release and distribution on the stigma.

High humidity creates a favorable environment for the development of several foliar diseases.

Conversely, low relative humidity may cause infertility, due to pollen drying out before germination of the pollen on the stigma, which leads to small, deformed, or flat fruit.

At relatively low humidity and high temperature, the evaporation rate from the leaves is rapid. If the root system is unable to supply the water volume required, it may lead to partial wilting of the growth tip and increase the incidence of blossom end rot.

Substrate Requirements:

• A very high level of substrate retention ability is required for the profitable production of a successful pepper crop.

• The quality and quantity of pepper fruits are of crucial importance and are greatly influenced by the fertility and nutrient levels of the substrates provided they are well-drained.

• The substrate must permit adequate root growth to support the plant and hold water, oxygen, and mineral nutrients, and must be free of toxic elements.

• The rate of root growth is dependent on the degree of compaction or bulk density of the substrate. The rate of aerial and root growth of plants increases with the oxygen contents of the substrate.

• Root development of pepper plants can be extensive if substrates hold water and plant conditions are optimal.

• Early root development should be encouraged because nearly all root growth occurs before the fruit set.

To Promote Good Fruit Set, the Following Steps Would Be Ensured.

• Select varieties with good fruit set under local conditions

• Ensure good irrigation management

• Ensure good fertilization management

• Use a good preventative spraying programme against insect infestation

• Adapt the fertilizer program to varieties that have the tendency to flush

• Use varieties with extended flower sets to spread the risks.

To be continued….