Compost di qualità per la coltivazione del peperoncino ornamentale in vaso

In two years (2008 and 2009), the research centre Co.Ri.SSIA evalueted the suitability of compost obtained from organic municipal waste used a growth substrate for three varieties of ornamental chili pepper (Capsicum annuum). Research was carried out at the Orleans Experimental Farm at the University of Palermo. In addition to the control standard substrate (a 70:30 mix by volume of peat and perlite), three substrates were tested, formed by varying percentage mixes of compost, peat and perlite. During the initial cultivation stage, chemical and physical analyses were carried out on the different substrates. Subsequently, morphometric data were collected in order to evaluate the plant ornamental value. The research showed that the use of the test compost had a positive affect on the three chili peppers acessions, producing more developed plants with good ornamental value, as compared to the standard substrate.