Agricultural lignocellulosic waste and volcanic rock combinations differentially affect seed germination and growth of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

The effect of three substrates derived from combining agricultural lignocellulosic residues and a volcanic rock called tezontle (40/60; v/v) was tested on the germination and biomass production of five varieties of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) grown under greenhouse conditions. The three substrates consisted of sugarcane bagasse and tezontle (SBTZ), coffee husk and tezontle (CHTZ), and filter cake from the clarification of sugarcane juice and tezontle (FCTZ), whereas the pepper varieties tested were Sven F1, Sympathy F1, Zidenka F1, Yolo Wonder, and California. Physical analyses of the substrates indicated that they had suitable properties, except for the percentage of readily available water, which was low in all the substrates. With regard to the chemical analyses, the best substrate was FCTZ. The highest germination percentage and the shortest time in which maximum germination was reached were also both found with the FCTZ substrate. Additionally, the greatest plant height and the highest shoot and biomass production were also recorded with the FCTZ substrate. In terms of varieties, those that responded best to the substrates were Sven F1, Sympathy F1, and Zidenka F1.