Humic Acids and Potassium from Organic Sources on the Yield and Economic Profitability of Paprika Cultivation in an Arid Zone

Abstract

The preference for healthy food requires reorienting agricultural activity towards the use of organic inputs to guarantee the safety of products without risking their profitability; this aspect is decisive in arid zones with soils deficient in organic matter and potassium. The objectives were: to determine the best interaction between levels of humic acids and potassium from organic sources in the total and classified yield of paprika fruits (Capsicum annuum L.) "papri queen"; as well as to establish the best economic profitability of the crop. The research was carried out in an arid zone soil of the Majes Irrigation, Arequipa, Peru. The treatments were two levels of humic acids: 218 kg ha^-1(A1); 436 kg ha^-1(A2) and three levels of potassium: 1.0 l ha^-1 (K1); 2.0 l ha^-1 (K2); 3.0 l ha^-1 (K3); This resulted in six treatments, with three replications each, arranged in a randomized complete block experimental design. The best total fruit yield was obtained by the A2K2 treatment (7980 kg ha^-1) of which, 90 % were first quality fruit and 10 % second quality. The highest yield index was 134 % for treatment A2K2; this treatment also favored fruit weight and length.