Differential Effects of Compost on Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Seedlings Under LED vs. Shade Daylight Conditions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24925/turjaf.v14i7.5059-5067.8737Keywords:
Compost, LED (light-emitting diode) light, pepper (Capsicum annuum) seedlings, morphology, physiology, anatomyAbstract
Organic fertilizers are very important tools during production of seedlings due to the huge potential regarding the substitution of chemical fertilizers. Light is a vital component for reliable production. The purpose of this study was the evaluation of the differential effect of light and fertilizer sources on the morphology, physiology, and anatomy of pepper seedlings. In this regard, pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) seedlings were cultivated with growing media of control (C), 100% compost (100C), 50% compost (50C), 25% compost (25C), and fertilization with compost tea (CT) and chemical fertilizer (CF). LED (light-emitting diode) light and shade daylight were used for the light source. Mean height, leaf number, total leaf area, stem diameter, aboveground biomass, net photosynthesis (A-net), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (E), intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE = A-net/gs), ratio of intercellular to ambient CO2 (Ci/Ca), soil and plant analyzer development (SPAD) value, width of cortical layer and secondary xylem of stem, and number of stem vessels of pepper seedlings were measured. The highest A-net, iWUE, total leaf area, and aboveground fresh and dry biomass were measured at 3.2 µmol CO2 m-2s-1, 101.2 µmol mol-1, 649.3 cm2, 16.86 g, and 1.425 g, respectively, in seedlings cultivated with 100% compost at shade daylight conditions. Although there was not any significant difference in A-net, gs, and iWUE of seedlings cultivated with different doses or types of fertilizer compared to control at LED light conditions, aboveground fresh and dry biomass was measured at its highest on seedlings of 100C. While stoma density on seedlings fertilized with compost tea was measured as the highest, it had no beneficial effect on physiological (A-net, gs) and morphological (mean aboveground fresh biomass, etc.) characteristics of seedlings. In conclusion, usage of mature compost as fertilizer had influence on the cultivation of pepper seedlings when an appropriate light source was provided. Light spectrum, depending on the light source, could have more influence than light intensity on the growing characteristics of pepper seedlings.
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