Influence of increased doses of microelements in hydroponic nutrient solution on the yield of Capsicum annuum L. fruits and their capsaicin content

Abstract

The Wrocław version of hydroponic culture was applied. The content of particular microelements (Cu, B, Mn, Mo, Zn) or several of them jointly was increased ten times (to 6 mg/l) as compared to the standard composition of the nutrient solution. It was found that the yield of fruits and of capsaicin per plant was significantly higher with 10 times increased content of Cu and B or Cu+B+Mo or Cu+Mn+Mo or B+Mn+Mo. Moreover, Cu and Mn applied alone or in combinations with other microelements in 10-fold increased proportion caused a marked increase of capsaicin content in the dry matter of the fruit. It is suggested that the proportions of microelements should be chosen individually for each plant species and for each type of agroclimatic conditions