HORTIN II Co Innovation Programme. Towards cost effective, high quality value chains

Transcription

1 HORTIN II Co Innovation Programme Towards cost effective, high quality value chains Effect of variety, transplant raising, net house cultivation, mulch and cropping system on hot pepper growth and yield HORTIN-II Research Report nr. 25 Witono Adiyoga, Herman de Putter, Nikardi Gunadi and Tonny K. Moekasan. Lelystad, The Netherlands, Lembang, Indonesia, January HORTIN II Mission/Research report xx

2 The purpose of the HORTIN-II programme is to contribute to the development of cost effective high quality value chains for vegetables and fruits. Among others this can be achieved when technology development takes place in close collaboration between public institutions, farmers and private companies. On the Indonesian side the programme is carried out by the Indonesian Centre for Horticultural Research and Development (ICHORD), Jakarta, with the Indonesian Vegetable Research Institute (IVEGRI), Lembang, and the Indonesian Centre for Agricultural Postharvest Research and Development (ICAPRD) in Bogor. In the Netherlands the Agricultural Economics Research Institute (AEI), Den Haag, the Agrotechnology and Food Sciences Group (ASFG), Wageningen, Applied Plant Research (APR), Lelystad, and WUR-Greenhouse Horticulture (WUR-GH), Bleiswijk, all partners in Wageningen University and Research centre, are involved in the programme. Addresses: Indonesian Centre for Horticultural Research and Development (ICHORD) Address : Jl. Ragunan 29A, Pasarminggu, Jakarta 12520, Indonesia Tel. : Fax : pushor@rad.net.id or pushorti@yahoo.com Internet : Indonesian Vegetable Research Institute (IVEGRI) Address : Jl. Tangkuban Perahu 517, Lembang-Bandung 40391, West Java, Indonesia Tel. : Fax : dir_ivegri@balits.org or balitsa@balitsa.org Internet : Indonesian Centre for Agricultural Postharvest Research and Development (ICAPRD) Address : Kampus Penelitian Pertanian, Cimanggu, Bogor 16114, West Java, Indonesia Tel. : Fax : bb_pascapanen@litbang.deptan.go.id or bb_pascapanen@yahoo.com Internet : Agricultural Economics Research Institute (AEI) Address : Alexanderveld 5, Den Haag, The Netherlands : PO Box 29703, 2502 LS Den Haag, The Netherlands Tel. : Fax : informatie.lei@wur.nl Internet : Agrotechnology and Food Sciences Group (ASFG) Address : Building 118, Bornsesteeg 59, Wageningen, The Netherlands : PO Box 17, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands Tel. : Fax : info.asfg@wur.nl Internet : Applied Plant Research (APR) AGV Research Unit Address : Edelhertweg 1, Lelystad, The Netherlands : PO Box 430, 8200 AK Lelystad, The Netherlands Tel. : Fax : infoagv.ppo@wur.nl Internet : HORTIN-II Research report 25

3 WUR-Greenhouse Horticulture (WUR-GH) Address : Violierenweg 1, Bleiswijk, The Netherlands : PO Box 20, 2665 ZG Bleiswijk, The Netherlands Tel. : Fax : glastuinbouw@wur.nl Internet : The HORTIN-II programme is sponsored by the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development of the Ministry of Agriculture, Indonesia, and by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality of the Netherlands (under project nr. BO ) Applied Plant Research, Lelystad, The Netherlands; Indonesian Vegetable Research Institute, Lembang, Indonesia. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form of by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Applied Plant Research, Lelystad, The Netherlands; Indonesian Vegetable Research Institute, Lembang, Indonesia. Applied Plant Research, Lelystad, The Netherlands; Indonesian Vegetable Research Institute, Lembang, Indonesia, take no responsibility for any injury or damage sustained by using data from this publication. HORTIN-II Research report 25

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5 Programme Team Indonesia The Netherlands Programme management Sweet pepper pilot project Dr Yusdar Hilman, Director ICHORD Telephone +62 Fax Dr.Nikardi Gunadi, IVEGRI Telephone Fax Dr.Nikardi Gunadi, IVEGRI Telephone Fax Dr. Arij Everaarts, APR, General management Telephone Fax Dr. Andre de Jager, AEI, Supply chain management Telephone Fax Ruud Maaswinkel, WUR-Greenhouse Horticulture Telephone Fax Shallot pilot project Dr. Rofik Sinung Basuki, IVEGRI Telephone Fax Lubbert van den Brink, APR Telephone Fax Hot pepper pilot project Supply chain management Quantitative Economic Analysis Fruit supply chains Dr. Witono Adiyoga, IVEGRI Telephone Fax Dr. Witono Adiyoga, IVEGRI Telephone Fax Dr. Witono Adiyoga, IVEGRI Telephone Fax Dr. Sri Yuliani, ICAPRD Telephone Fax Herman de Putter, APR Telephone Fax: Dr. Andre de Jager, AEI Telephone Fax Marcel van der Voort, APR Telephone Fax Dr. Jeroen Knol, ASFG Telephone Fax HORTIN-II Research report 25

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7 CONTENTS Executive summary Introduction Acknowledgements Materials and methods Treatments in the experiment Nursery for raising of seedlings Hot pepper varieties used for the experiment Seedling raising treatments Cultivation Cropping system Mulching Screen net covers Cultivation practice Pesticide application Observations Temperature and rainfall Soil temperature Nutrient content Light intensity and light interception Nursery observations Shallot harvest observations Plant length and number of internodes Hot pepper harvest observations Statistical information Results Climate Light levels Nutrient content of media Effect of variety and raising method on transplant production and yield of hot pepper Nursery results Plant growth results Yield results Effect of screen net cover and cultivation on growth and yield of hot pepper cv. Gada Plant results Yield results Effect of screen net cover and cultivation on growth and yield of hot pepper cv. Tit Segitiga Plant results Yield results Discussion and conclusions Variety Raising system Mulch Screen net Cropping system Annex I. Layout of intercropping pattern Annex II. Layout of treatments in the nursery Annex III. Layout of treatments in the field Annex IV. Used pesticides and amounts per hectare Annex V. Chronological overview of used material and activities Annex VI. Temperature recording HORTIN-II Research report 25 1

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9 Executive summary Hot pepper is besides shallot an important crop to farmers in Brebes, Central Java. The profitability of hot pepper is hampered by fluctuating production resulting in a strong seasonality of supply. Also quality of used seeds and varieties is variable leading to different production levels. In order to improve the cultivation of hot pepper and as a result strengthening the market position of the small holder farmers, research has been started in 2007 to increase the quality of starting material and to improve cultivation techniques. In previous experiments the influence of transplant use and the use of hybrid varieties on yield was tested. Results from these experiments indicated that with the use of transplants seed use efficiency increase. Final yield was not influenced by using transplants since with direct sowing similar yield was present as with the use of transplants. When cultivating hybrid varieties a same or a higher yield can be obtained as with open pollinated varieties but with only half the plant population as commonly used with OP varieties. Since presence of pests and diseases during the cultivation period were influencing the results decided was too test also the effect of mulch, plant population and screen net covers on production of hot pepper. The hybrid variety Gada and the open pollinated variety Tit Segitiga were sowed on. Seeds were either sowed directly in the field or transplants were first raised in plastic bags or plastic trays. The media used for transplant raising consisted of a mixture of goat manure and top soil in equal volume parts. Transplanting took place on.. Plants were cultivated inside a screen net cover or in the open field. Some treatments included the application of plastic mulch. Gada and Tit Segitiga were cultivated as an intercrop with shallot. Some treatments were cultivated as a monocrop. Finally in order to increase the productivity of Gada tested was if a higher plant density would lead to a higher yield per square meter. HORTIN-II Research report 25 3

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11 1 Introduction 1.1 Acknowledgements The research was done in close cooperation with farmers in Brebes. PT EWINDO supplied materials for the nursery construction and seeds of the hybrid hot pepper variety Gada F 1. Rien Rodenburg of PT EWINDO offered valuable advice on hot pepper cultivation. PT Syngenta also assisted the research by supplying pesticides and advice on pest control. Special thanks also to Uka and Arifin for their important role in the cultivation of the hot pepper crop and carrying out the experiment and in assisting with the observations. HORTIN-II Research report 25 5

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13 2 Materials and methods The experiment was performed in the area of Kersana Brebes (Fig. 1). Brebes is located on the northern coast of Java adjacent to the Java Sea at 7 o S and 109 o E. The climate can be classified as a humid tropical lowland climate with clear distinguished dry and wet seasons. A field was rented from farmers and the nurseries were constructed at the entrance of the field while the production fields were located behind the nurseries (Fig. 2). Soil type of the field can be characterized as a fluvisol with 70% clay. According to the classification by the Indonesian Soil Research Institute (1961) the soil is an alluvial soil with river and lake sediments in flat or slanting areas. Brebes Figure 1. Location of the hot pepper cultivation area where the experiment took place. In February 2009 soil samples were taken from the experimental site (Table 1). Three samples were taken from the field of the top layer of 0 30 cm depth. Sampling was done by taking 5 sub samples along the diagonal of each replication. Soil ph-h 2 O is slight acid to neutral. Phosphate content of the soil is present at an excessive level while potassium is present at an adequate medium level. Finally, both calcium and magnesium content is ranging from medium to high. An amount of 40.8 kg/ha mineral nitrogen was present in the soil just before commencing cultivation. Table 1. Analyse results of soil samples taken in February 2009 at the experimental site. Sample ph-h2o ph-kcl N (%) N-min (ppm) P2O5 (ppm) K2O (ppm) CaO MgO Kjeldahl KCL 1N Olsen MV (cmol/kg) Ammonium acetate 1N ph 7 I II III mean HORTIN-II Research report 25 7

14 Total parcel size = 12.7 x 134 m = 1702 m 2 North direction Road III table II table I table Nursery experiment experimental field 134 m 12.7 m Figure 2. Layout of the experimental site. HORTIN-II Research report 25 8

15 2.1 Treatments in the experiment Two varieties, two types of containers and three field treatments: use of screen net, use of mulch and cropping system, were tested in combinations and compared with results of direct sowing (Table 2). Table 2. Treatment combination in the experiment. Variety Container Cover Cultivation System 1 A1B2C1 Tit Segitiga Plastic tray yes Intercropping 2 A1B6C1 Tit Segitiga Plastic tray yes Monocropping + mulch 3 A2B1C1 Gada Direct sowing yes intercropping 4 A2B2C1 Gada Plastic tray yes Intercropping 5 A2B3C1 Gada Plastic tray yes Intercropping at 100 plants/plot 6 A2B4C1 Gada Plastic tray yes Intercropping + mulch 7 A2B5C1 Gada Plastic tray yes Monocropping 8 A2B6C1 Gada Plastic tray yes Monocropping + mulch 9 A1B2C2 Tit Segitiga Plastic tray no Intercropping 10 A1B6C2 Tit Segitiga Plastic tray no Monocropping + mulch 11 A2B1C2 Gada Direct sowing no intercropping 12 A2B2C2 Gada Plastic tray no Intercropping 13 A2B3C2 Gada Plastic tray no Intercropping at 100 plants/plot 14 A2B4C2 Gada Plastic tray no Intercropping + mulch 15 A2B5C2 Gada Plastic tray no Monocropping 16 A2B6C2 Gada Plastic tray no Monocropping + mulch 17 A1B1C2 Tit Segitiga Direct sowing no Intercropping 18 A1B7C2 Tit Segitiga Plastic bag no Intercropping 19 A1B5C2 Tit Segitiga Plastic tray no Intercropping + rice straw 1 mnth after transplanting 20 A2B7C2 Gada Plastic bag no Intercropping 2.2 Nursery for raising of seedlings For raising seedlings a simple nursery construction was used. (Figure 3 and 4). Bamboo was used for construction of the frame and for construction of the table to place the seedlings on. The frame was covered with screen net to have a closed area in which transplants or seedlings could be raised. The nursery house was present in three replications. HORTIN-II Research report 25 9

16 1.5 m m 1.5 m 7.0 m Figure 3. Schematic view of a table nursery. Figure 4. Inside of a table nursery. 2.3 Hot pepper varieties used for the experiment Two types of varieties were used in the experiments: - Local open pollinated variety (Tit Segitiga) - Hybrid variety (Gada F 1 ) Seeds from Tit Segitiga were obtained locally from farmers while seeds from Gada F 1 were received from PT EWINDO located at Purwakarta. 2.4 Seedling raising treatments For container, two types were tested namely a modular tray with 128 modules per tray and individual plastic bags (Fig. 5). At the 128 module tray the cell shape was pyramidal with a cell content of 13 cm 3. Plastic bags have a volume of 15 cm 3 and holes were punctured in the bottom to provide drainage. Components for media were goat manure collected from nearby farms, and top soil collected from the field near to the nursery. Media was prepared by thoroughly mixing 1 volume part of manure with 1 volume part of top soil. HORTIN-II Research report 25 10

17 Figure 5. Plastic bags and modular tray with 128 cells, used for seedling raising of hot pepper. 2.5 Cultivation Cropping system Normally hot pepper is intercropped with shallot (Figure 6). In Brebes crops are grown on suats or beds surrounded by ditches. In the experiments each plot consisted of a half suat with a size of 1.5 x 5.7 m. Shallots were planted one day before hot pepper seeds were sown. Hot pepper seedlings were transplanted 4 to 5 weeks after shallot was planted. Shallots were planted at a rate of 260 bulbs per plot. With the mulch intercropping treatment only 125 bulbs were planted. Per plot 3 complete rows of 25 plant holes were planted and 4 rows were planted with shallot and hot popper at alternating spots resulting in 12 plant holes per rows for shallot. Population density of hot pepper for the open pollinated variety was double compared to the density of the hybrid variety (Table 3). One treatment with the hybrid treatment was with a same density of the open pollinated variety. With the monocropping treatments only hot pepper was planted or sowed at similar positions as with intercropping but shallot was not cultivated then. Layout of the different cropping patterns are presented in Annex I. Table3. Number of plants per plot and planting distances for shallot and hot pepper. Plants per plot Number of rows Plants per row Distance within a row (cm) Distance between rows (cm) Shallot Shallot with mulch /12 21/41 20 Hot pepper (OP) /60 Hot pepper (F1) /60 HORTIN-II Research report 25 11

18 Figure 6. One Suat or bed containing two experimental plots Mulching Black plastic mulch of 1.5 m wide was applied to beds and afterwards holes were punched at the plant positions (Fig. 7). With monocropping system only four rows were present, while with intercropping seven rows with plant holes were present. Four rows to plant hot pepper and shallot and three rows for planting of shallots only (Annex I). Figure 7. Black plastic mulch Screen net covers Screen net covers of 8 x 13 x 2 m (w x l x h) were constructed with bamboo and screen net (Fig. 8). The brand name of the used screen net for the roof was agro pro: type r12-c215trm2-80; 20% light intensity reduction, 27% IUV reduction, 59% wind speed reduction, 77 holes per cm 2, mesh/1 is 20x2, weight is 115 g/m 2. For the walls a net with a smaller mesh size was used, namely agro pro: type r12-c215trm2-73. Characteristics of this net were: 27% light intensity reduction, 37% IUV reduction, 73% wind speed reduction, 138 holes per cm 2, mesh/1 is 24x3, weight is 150 g/m 2. HORTIN-II Research report 25 12

19 Figure 8. Screen net covers in the field Cultivation practice Sowing of hot pepper in the field and in the nurseries took place on August 31(Table 4). Sowing for the direct sowing treatment after shallot cultivation took place on May 8 th, With Gada F1 per plot 128 and 130 seeds were sown for respectively the tray and plastic bag transplant raising treatments while with direct sowing 250 seeds were sowed. Respectively 200 and 500 seeds per plot were sown for transplant raising and direct sowing with Tit Segitiga. With direct sowing of both varieties 5 seeds per planting hole were sowed. Transplanting of hot pepper seedlings raised in the nursery into the field took place on September 28, Transplants were planted until cotyledon depth. Shallot was planted in the field on August 22 and harvest took place on October 17, Table 4. General information on the cultivation. Hot pepper sowing : August 31 Hot pepper transplanting : September 28 Hot pepper harvest : November 25 January 21 Shallot planting : August 22 Shallot harvest : October 17 Used seeds in nursery : 128/ 130 (Gada) and 200 (Tit Segitiga) per plot Direct sowing seed use (5 seeds per sowing position) : 500 seeds per plot for Tit Segitiga 250 seeds per plot for Gada Plant density : Tit Segitiga at 12.2 plants per m 2 Gada F1 at 6.1 and 12.2 plants per m 2 HORTIN-II Research report 25 13

20 Further cultivation, method of harvesting, amount of fertiliser and pest control of hot pepper took place as common farmers practice in Kersana Brebes (Annex V). A total of 503 kg/ha nitrogen, 169 kg/ha P 2 O 5 and 268 kg/ha K 2 O was applied in split applications. 2.6 Pesticide application In both the open field spray applications were applied every 3 to 4 days. From 7 days after planting of shallot till the end of the shallot cultivation each application consisted of a mix of insecticides and fungicides. Used pesticides and total amounts are presented in Annex IV. 2.7 Observations Temperature and rainfall During the experiment air temperature was recorded by taking readings at p.m. each day on maximum and minimum temperature. One thermometer was placed in one of the nurseries, two were placed inside two screen net covers and one was placed outside in the field. All thermometers were placed in a shaded position. Rainfall data were gathered from Brebes Agricultural Office weather station and measured daily at 6.30 a.m. using a simple rain gauge. Data from the weather station based at Tegal, located 20 km east of the field, were also collected. Data of all these recordings are listed in Annex VI Soil temperature On December 18, temperature of three positions, at the front, halfway and at the end in the middle row, of the beds was recorded by using a soil thermometer Nutrient content From the media used for filling the trays and plastic bags a sample was taken for analyse on nitrogen, potassium, phosphate, calcium and ph level. After preparing the media the sample was taken by taking 1 kg of prepared substrate Light intensity and light interception Light intensity in Lux was measured with a handheld Lux meter (LX93 from Nieuwkoop) inside and outside the nurseries and screen net covers. Light levels inside and outside the nurseries were measured on August 31 and September 14. On August 31 one measurement was taken before shading net was hung up above the seedlings and one measurement was taken after the net was hung up. Light levels were measured above the seedlings at two positions inside the nursery and one outside the nursery (Annex II). Measurements in the field were taken on November 25, December 29 and February 20 Readings were taken just above the crop inside the screen net cover and readings were taken just above the crop of a similar treatment in the open field. On November 25, December 29, January 25 and February 20, light interception of the crops cultivated inside the screen net covers was measured. Per plot readings were taken according to the method described in figure 9. Readings were taken at 4 positions, 2 next to a stem and 2 in between two stems. A reading was taken at the stem base, halfway and almost at the top of a crop. On the floor readings were taken at the stem base, at 1/4 th and ½ of a distance between rows. At 4 positions also a reading above the crop was taken. Per crop measurement percentage light interception was calculated: 100-(measurement reading above top)/100. When this figure is 100% than the crop has intercepted all available light, and when the figure is zero no light was intercepted by the crop. Measurements were taken only at the treatments listed in table 5. Table 5. Crop light measurements treatments. code variety raising cover system A1B1C2 Tit Segitiga direct sowing no Intercropping A1B2C1 Tit Segitiga Plastic tray yes Intercropping A1B2C2 Tit Segitiga Plastic tray no Intercropping A2B1C1 Gada direct sowing yes intercropping A2B1C2 Gada direct sowing no intercropping A2B2C1 Gada Plastic tray yes Intercropping A2B2C2 Gada Plastic tray no Intercropping HORTIN-II Research report 25 14

21 A2B3C1 Gada Plastic tray yes Intercropping at 100 plants/plot A2B3C2 Gada Plastic tray no Intercropping at 100 plants/plot Figure 9. Method of light intensity measurements in the crop Nursery observations Emergence was observed 10 at 20 days after sowing of the treatments. Percentage of normal and abnormal seedlings was calculated. At transplanting number of normal, usable and abnormal transplants were observed and percentage was calculated as well. Also number of plants with virus symptoms and infected with thrips were observed. At transplanting randomly per plot 15 seedlings were selected, cut off at soil level, and measured for plant length, individual plant weight and number of fully developed leaves. Plant length was measured from the cut off point to the end tip of a leave of a fully stretched out plant. After drying at 70 o C for 24 hours the total weight of the 15 plants together was weighed. Percentage dry weight was calculated as well Shallot harvest observations Shallots were harvested on October 17, per plot marketable production in gram was recorded Plant length and number of internodes On December 30 plant height and total number of internodes per plant of 5 plants per treatment was observed. Average internode ratio was calculated by dividing the plant height by the total number of internodes per plant Hot pepper harvest observations Fruits were harvested when mature, and harvesting took every two to five days place depending on the speed of fruit maturing. At each harvest date, per plot the number and total weight of harvested fruits in gram was observed. After this fruits were graded in marketable fruits and unmarketable fruits. The number and weight of marketable fruits was then observed. At each harvest also the number of present plants per plot was observed. Based on the observations, total fruit number and weight, marketable fruit number and weight per plant and per square meter cultivation surface was calculated. Also share of marketable weight in total yield and average fruit weight was calculated. 2.8 Statistical information The experiment was carried out as a randomized block design in three replications (Annex II and III ). Results were analysed with ANOVA (analysis of variance) by using the statistical program Genstat for Windows 11 th edition. HORTIN-II Research report 25 15

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23 3 Results 3.1 Climate During the cultivation of hot pepper mean temperature was on average 27 to 28 o C (Fig. 10). At the end of the cultivation in January temperature showed a somewhat declining trend. Minimum temperature was just below 25 o C and maximum temperature showed temperatures between 30 and 35 o C. At the start of the cultivation almost no precipitation was recorded. In the period from 16 to 23 November a high amount of precipitation was recorded with an amount of about 100 mm. From then onwards frequent showers were present and the total precipitation recorded over the whole cultivation period was 393 mm. Cumulative precipitation (mm) T (oc) T(mean) T(Max) T(Min) cumulative precipitation Aug 14-Sep 28-Sep 12-Oct 26-Oct 9-Nov 23-Nov 7-Dec 21-Dec 4-Jan 18-Jan 0 Figure 10. Rainfall, maximum and minimum temperature recorded at the Tegal weather station. Maximum temperature recorded in the field was around 30 o C (Fig. 11), which was a few degrees lower than the official recorded maximum temperature in Tegal. Minimum temperature in the field was around 20 o C for the duration of the experiment. Also this reading was 5 to 4 degrees lower than the minimum temperature recorded at Tegal. Minimum temperature inside the screen net cover was similar to the temperature recorded in the open field. Maximum temperature inside the screen net covers reached temperatures higher than 40 o C and was about 10 degrees higher than the recorded open field temperature. However, presumed is that the outside maximum temperature was not recorded properly. Nevertheless it seems that inside the screen net covers temperature is higher than in the open field. HORTIN-II Research report 25 17

24 out_min out_max in_min in_max aug 13-sep 27-sep 11-okt 25-okt 8-nov 22-nov 6-dec 20-dec 3-jan 17-jan 31-jan Figure 11. Maximum and minimum temperature recorded in the open field and inside the screen net covers. 3.2 Light levels Before the shading net was hung up in the nurseries the light reduction was on average 17% of the outdoor light level (Table 6). After the shading net was hung up, the light reduction increased to 55.6%. On September 14, the reduction was even higher with 73.8 %. Table 6. Light level reduction by the nursery net cover (%) compared to outdoor light conditions. Measuring position Observation date Shading net in nursery L1 L2 mean 31 August no shading net August with shading net September with shading net Between treatments and observation date in the field, there were no interactions in light level reduction present (Table 7). Table 7. Light level reduction by the screen net cover (%) compared to outdoor light conditions. System Observation date variety treatment 25 November 29 December 20 February mean Gada DS+IC Gada PT+IC Gada PT+IC Tit Segitiga PT+IC mean lsd p= System Date S*D The level of light reduction was for each observation date not significant different. Also between treatments there were no significant differences in light reduction. This is not surprising since all measurements were taken just HORTIN-II Research report 25 18

25 above the crops to measure the light reducing effect of the screen net cover on light intensity. The observed mean light intensity reduction of the screen net cover construction was 26 %. This is 6% more than the stated value by the manufacturer for the type of screen net used for the roof construction. Since the observations were done just above the crop also the side wall screen nets and the used bamboo poles influence the results. The stated light reduction of the type of net used for the side walls is 27%. 3.3 Nutrient content of media The used media in this experiment was the combination of top soil with manure (TS+M) (Table 8). The ph of this media is slightly alkaline with a ph-h 2 O of 6.9, in standard ready available potting soils for vegetable seedling production a ph of 5.6 to 6.0 is advisable. Total nitrogen content is about 0.3 % or 300 mg per 100 gram media. N-min content of the substrate used in the experiments is 93.7 mg/kg media or 0.15 kg/m 3 based on fresh weight of the media. For transplant raising a nitrate and ammonium content of mmol per litre is recommended by the Dutch society RHP. Table 8. Bulk density and nutrient content of media/substrate samples taken in February Media kg/l ph-h2o ph-kcl N (%) N-min P2O5 (%) K2O (%) CaO (%) MgO (%) (ppm) Rice husk (RH) Manure (M) Top soil (TS) RH + M TS + M RH + M + TS Effect of variety and raising method on transplant production and yield of hot pepper Nursery results Emergence after 10 days was significant higher with direct sowing (Table 9). With sowing in plastic bags or in trays the emergence was 2 to 14% while with direct sowing more than 47% of the seeds was emerged. Between varieties no differences in emergence were present with direct sowing or with sowing in plastic bags. With sowing in trays, Tit Segitiga showed a slightly higher emergence than Gada. Table 9. Effect of variety and raising method on emergence after 10 days (%). Gada Tit Segitiga mean Direct sowing Plastic bag Plastic tray mean Variety Raising 5.5 <0.001 V*R After 20 days emergence was lower with direct sowing compared to sowing in plastic bags or in trays (Table 10). Emergence in plastic bag was the same than the emergence present with sowing in trays. Between Gada and Tit Segitiga no significant differences in emergence after 20 days were present. HORTIN-II Research report 25 19

26 Table 10. Effect of variety and raising method on emergence after 20 days (%). Gada Tit Segitiga mean Direct sowing Plastic bag Plastic tray mean Variety Raising 6.3 <0.001 V*R With sowing in trays or plastic bags a significant higher percentage of usable seedlings was present compared with direct sowing (Table 11). Between Tit Segitiga and Gada no difference in percentage of usable seedlings was present. Table 11. Effect of variety and raising method on usable transplant (%). Gada Tit Segitiga mean Direct sowing Plastic bag Plastic tray mean Variety Raising 8.0 <0.001 V*R At the time of transplanting seedlings raised in trays showed a significant higher dry matter percentage than the percentage present with raising in plastic bags or with direct sowing (Table 12). Both varieties showed a same dry matter percentage at the time of transplanting. Table 12. Effect of variety and raising method on dry matter (%). Gada Tit Segitiga mean Direct sowing Plastic bag Plastic tray mean Variety Raising V*R Dry weight of Gada seedlings was higher than the dry weight of Tit Segitiga seedlings at time of transplanting (Table 13). Seedlings raised in a tray showed a lower dry weight than seedlings raised in plastic bag or raised with direct sowing. Table 13. Effect of variety and raising method on dry weight (g). Gada Tit Segitiga mean Direct sowing Plastic bag Plastic tray mean Variety <0.001 Raising <0.001 V*R HORTIN-II Research report 25 20

27 Gada seedlings showed a higher fresh weight at transplanting than Tit Segitiga seedlings (Table 14). Seedlings raised in trays showed a lower fresh weight than seedlings raised in plastic bags which showed a lower fresh than seedlings with direct sowing. Table 14. Effect of variety and raising method on fresh weight (g). Gada Tit Segitiga mean Direct sowing Plastic bag Plastic tray mean Variety Raising 4.2 <0.001 V*R The length of Gada seedlings at time of transplanting was 11.4 cm and was significant longer than the length of Tit Segitiga seedlings (Table 15). Seedlings raised with direct sowing or in plastic bags were significant taller than seedlings raised in trays. Table 15. Effect of variety and raising method on plant length (cm) Gada Tit Segitiga mean Direct sowing Plastic bag Plastic tray mean Variety Raising 1.2 <0.001 V*R Gada seedlings showed a higher umber of leaves per seedling than Tit Segitiga (Table 16). Seedlings raised with direct sowing showed the highest number of leaves. On average direct sowing seedlings showed 8.4 leaves per plant. Seedlings raised in plastic bag showed a significant lower number than with direct sowing, but did show a higher number compared to raising in trays. Table 16. Effect of variety and raising method on number of leaves (No.). Gada Tit Segitiga mean Direct sowing Plastic bag Plastic tray mean Variety Raising 0.4 <0.001 V*R No effect of variety and raising method was observed on percentage seedlings with virus symptoms (Table 17). In both seedlings raised with direct sowing or raised in a nursery in plastic bags or trays the percentage was low with not more than 2% of the seedlings showing virus symptoms. HORTIN-II Research report 25 21

28 Table 17. Effect of variety and raising method on plants with virus symptoms (%). Gada Tit Segitiga mean Direct sowing Plastic bag Plastic tray mean Variety Raising V*R Seedlings raised with direct sowing showed a significant higher percentage of plants with thrips symptoms than seedlings raised in plastic bags or in trays (Table 18). Table 18. Effect of variety and raising method on plants with thrips infection symptoms (%). Gada Tit Segitiga mean Direct sowing Plastic bag Plastic tray mean Variety Raising 5.9 <0.001 V*R Plant growth results On December 30 plant length of Tit Segitiga was 67.9 cm and plants were almost significant taller than those of Gada (Table 19). Plants of direct sowing or from transplants raised in plastic bags or trays showed similar plant lengths. Table 19. Effect of variety and raising method on plant length on December 30, 2009 (cm). Gada Tit Segitiga mean Direct sowing Plastic bag Plastic tray mean Variety Raising V*R No significant effects of variety and raising method were present on number of internodes per stem (Table 20). Gada showed a slightly higher but not significant higher number of internodes than Tit Segitiga. Table 20. Effect of variety and raising method on number of internodes on December 30, 2009 (No.). Gada Tit Segitiga mean Direct sowing Plastic bag Plastic tray mean Variety Raising V*R HORTIN-II Research report 25 22

29 Average internode ratio of Gada plants was lower than the ratio present with Tit Segitiga (Table 21). All raising treatments showed a same internode ratio. Table 21. Effect of variety and raising method on internode ratio on December 30, 2009 (cm). Gada Tit Segitiga mean Direct sowing Plastic bag Plastic tray mean Variety Raising V*R Average light interception by a crop was significant higher for Tit Segitiga compared to the interception by Gada plants (Table 22). Plants raised with direct sowing showed a higher light interception percentage than the crop cultivated from transplants raised in a tray. Table 22. Effect of variety and raising method on average crop light interception (%). Gada Tit Segitiga mean Direct sowing Plastic tray mean Variety Raising V*R Light measurements at the row base did not show large differences in light interception by the plants between treatments (Fig. 12). With raising of Gada in plastic trays the light interception halfway the plant was quite lower than the interception halfway the plants of the other treatments. Light interception measured just below the top of the plants was with direct sowing higher than with plastic tray transplants. Tit Segitiga showed a higher percentage of light interception than Gada. Light interception (%) 80.0 Gada direct Tit Segitiga direct Gada tray Tit Segitiga tray Figure 12.. base half top Plant position Light interception measured at different heights measured in a plant row. HORTIN-II Research report 25 23

30 % row 25% row base half top Figure 13. direct direct tray tray Gada Tit Segitiga Gada Tit Segitiga Light interception measured at different positions. Average soil temperature with cultivation of Gada was 29.1 o C (Table 23). This was significant higher then the temperature recorded with Tit Segitiga cultivation. No interaction was present between measuring date and treatments. Between treatments and variety also no significant differences were present in temperature. On 18 December and on 16 January average soil temperature was 27.3 and 27.9 o C while on February 18 the soil temperature was 31.4 o C. Table 23. Effect of variety and raising method on average soil temperature ( o C). Gada Tit Segitiga mean Direct sowing Plastic bag Plastic tray mean Variety Raising V*R Yield results No significant effect of variety and raising method was observed on the yield of the shallot intercrop (Table 24). Average yield of the shallots was 2.3 kg/m2 or 23 ton/ha. Table 24. Effect of variety and raising method on shallot yield (kg/m 2 ). Gada Tit Segitiga mean Direct sowing Plastic bag Plastic tray mean Variety Raising V*R HORTIN-II Research report 25 24

31 Share of marketable fruits in the total number of fruits per plant was for all treatment not significant different (Table 25). Share of marketable fruits in the total production was on average 59%. Table 25. Effect of variety and raising method on share of marketable number of fruits in total harvested fruits (%). Gada Tit Segitiga mean Direct sowing Plastic bag Plastic tray mean Variety Raising V*R Total yield per plant was with Gada plants higher than with Tit Segitiga plants (Table 26). With Gada production per plant was 59.8 g while with Tit Segitiga a production of 29.0 g per plant was present. Between raising treatments no significant difference in production per plant was present. Table 26. Effect of variety and raising method on total yield per plant (g/plant). Gada Tit Segitiga mean Direct sowing Plastic bag Plastic tray mean Variety 9.9 <0.001 Raising V*R Total number of harvested fruits per plant was significant higher with cultivation of Gada plants (Table 27). Number of fruits was with Gada 8.3 per plant and with Tit Segitiga 3.9. Plants raised in trays or in plastic bags did not show a higher number of fruits per plant. Table 27. Effect of variety and raising method on total harvested fruits per plant (No./plant). Gada Tit Segitiga mean Direct sowing Plastic bag Plastic tray mean Variety 1.5 <0.001 Raising V*R The marketable yield per plant was with cultivation of Gada significant higher than with cultivation of Tit Segitiga (Table 28). Marketable yield of Tit Segitiga was on average 18.2 gram per plant. With Gada this was on average 36.0 gram per plant. Marketable yield with direct sowing did not differ significantly from plants raised in a nursery. HORTIN-II Research report 25 25

32 Table 28. Effect of variety and raising method on marketable yield per plant (g/plant). Gada Tit Segitiga mean Direct sowing Plastic bag Plastic tray mean Variety Raising V*R Gada yielded 4.9 marketable fruits per plant which was significant higher than the number present with Tit Segitiga (Table 29). Raising treatment had no significant effect on number of marketable fruits per plant. Table 29. Effect of variety and raising method on marketable fruits per plant (No./plant). Gada Tit Segitiga mean Direct sowing Plastic bag Plastic tray mean Variety Raising V*R Yield per square meter of Gada plants was on average 338 g/m 2 and was not significant different from the yield of Tit Segitiga (Table 30). Direct sowing showed a total yield of 323 g/m 2 or 3.2 ton/ha. This was not significant different from the total yield present with cultivation of plants raised in plastic bags or in trays. Table 30. Effect of variety and raising method on total yield per square meter (g/m 2 ). Gada Tit Segitiga mean Direct sowing Plastic bag Plastic tray mean Variety Raising V*R No significant difference in total number of fruits per square meter was present between plant raising treatments (Table 31). Between variety no significant difference in number of fruits was present either. Table 31. Effect of variety and raising method on total harvested fruits per square meter (No./m 2 ). Gada Tit Segitiga mean Direct sowing Plastic bag Plastic tray mean Variety Raising V*R HORTIN-II Research report 25 26

33 Marketable yield per square meter was on average 210 g/m 2 (Table 32). No significant differences were present between the raising treatments. Neither was there a significant difference in marketable yield between Gada and Tit Segitiga. Table 32. Effect of variety and raising method on marketable yield per square meter (g/m 2 ). Gada Tit Segitiga mean Direct sowing Plastic bag Plastic tray mean Variety Raising V*R Hot pepper was harvested for the first time on December 6 th (Fig. 14). However, not many fruits were harvested in the period from December 6 till December 12. Direct sowing of Gada showed a higher increase in yield in the week from 12 till 19 December while the other treatments showed low yields still. Only 2 weeks later those treatments, with the exception of direct sowing of Tit Segitiga, showed an increase in yield while Gada direct sowing showed a lower increase compared to that. Direct sowing of Tit Segitiga showed finally early January an increase in yield. Figure 14. g/m dec 12-dec 19-dec 26-dec 2-jan 9-jan 16-jan 23-jan 30-jan Tit Segitiga direct sowing open Intercropping Tit Segitiga Plastic tray open Intercropping Tit Segitiga Plastic bag open Intercropping Gada direct sowing open intercropping Gada Plastic tray open Intercropping Gada Plastic bag open Intercropping Cumulative marketable production of Gada and Tit Segitiga with three raising methods. No significant differences between raising treatment were present in number of marketable fruits per square meter (Table 33). Average number of marketable fruits was 28 per square meter. No difference between variety was observed. Table 33. Effect of variety and raising method on marketable fruits per square meter (No./m 2 ). Gada Tit Segitiga mean Direct sowing Plastic bag Plastic tray mean Variety Raising V*R HORTIN-II Research report 25 27

34 Average fruit weight of Tit Segitiga fruits was 7.9 grams (Table 34). The weight of these fruits was significant more than the weight of Gada fruits which showed an average weight of 7.5 grams. Method of raising did not show different fruit weight. Table 34. Effect of variety and raising method on average fruit weight of marketable fruits (g). Gada Tit Segitiga mean Direct sowing Plastic bag Plastic tray mean Variety Raising V*R Effect of screen net cover and cultivation on growth and yield of hot pepper cv. Gada Plant results Hot pepper plants cv. Gada cultivated in a screen net cover construction were significant taller than plants cultivated in the open field (Table 35). Monocropping with mulch showed shorter plants compared to intercropping with mulch. In the open field monocropping without mulch showed shorter plants than present with mulch. In the screen net cover construction plants with mulch showed a shorter plant length compared to plants grown without mulch. Gada plants cultivated with 11.7 pl/m 2 showed a longer plant length than plants cultivated with 5.8 pl/m 2. Table 35. Effect of screen net cover and cultivation method on plant length of Gada on December 30, 2009 (cm). Field mean Raising system Cultivation open field screen net cover Direct sowing intercropping Tray intercropping intercropping + mulch intercropping pl/m monocropping monocropping + mulch mean Cover 5.4 <0.001 System 9.4 <0.001 C*S Number of internodes was higher with plants cultivated inside a screen net cover construction (Table 36). In the open field the average number of internodes was 16.8 while inside the screen net cover plants showed 19.6 internodes. With tray transplants and intercropping the average number of internodes was 19. This number was not significant different from that present with direct sowing. Plants cultivated as a monocrop with mulch showed a significant lower number of internodes compared to intercropping without mulch. Compared with monocropping without mulch it showed an almost significant lower number of internodes too. HORTIN-II Research report 25 28

35 Table 36. Effect of screen net cover and cultivation method on number of internodes of Gada on December 30, 2009 (No./plant). Field mean Raising system Cultivation open field screen net cover Direct sowing intercropping Tray intercropping intercropping + mulch intercropping pl/m monocropping monocropping + mulch mean Cover 1.0 <0.001 System C*S When plants were grown inside a screen net cover construction, the average internode ratio was significant higher than the internode ratio of plants grown in the open field (Table 37). Inside the screen net cover the average internode ratio was 4.7 cm while in the open field this was 3.6 cm. Between method of cultivation no significant different internode ratios were present. Table 37. Effect of screen net cover and cultivation method on internode ratio of Gada on December 30, 2009 (cm). Field mean Raising system Cultivation open field screen net cover Direct sowing intercropping Tray intercropping intercropping + mulch intercropping pl/m monocropping monocropping + mulch mean Cover 0.37 <0.001 System C*S Between the three observation dates no interaction with cultivation system or cover was present. Soil temperature was in the open field not significant different from the soil temperature recorded inside the screen net cover (Table 38). Average soil temperature of three observation dates was 29 o C. Table 38. Effect of screen net cover and cultivation method on soil temperature ( o C). Field mean Raising system Cultivation open field screen net cover Direct sowing intercropping Tray intercropping intercropping + mulch intercropping pl/m monocropping monocropping + mulch mean Cover System 0.52 <0.001 C*S Light conditions inside a screen net cover were 28% lower compared to open field conditions (Table 6). Light use efficiency of plants were similar for plants in the open field and inside the screen net cover. The plants inside the HORTIN-II Research report 25 29