Production of Habanero Pepper Seedlings With Vermicompost Generated From Sewage Sludge

Abstract

In the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, septic tanks are one of the main wastewater treatment systems. The sludge generated in these systems is disposed of with no previous treatment. Existing data suggest that use of earthworms for treatment of sewage sludge is a viable alternative, and the vermicompost could be a product of agricultural importance. This work evaluated the production of seedlings of habanero pepper Capsicum chinense with vermicompost from sewage sludge from septic systems, compared with the commercial substrate peat moss. Maximum total height and increase (13.5 and 10.58 cm, respectively) were observed with the 100% vermicompost substrate, generated with an earthworm density of 2.5 kg-m². The average survival of transplanted seedlings was more than 90%. The highest values of nutrients of agricultural importance were generally observed in substrates containing the largest amounts of vermicompost. The results suggest that the use of vermicompost generated from sewage sludge in the production of seedlings of habanero pepper, has environmental and economic benefits; however, it is important to continue evaluating strategies that will allow improving the quality of vermicompost, which is valuable for any agricultural product.