Effects of Diverse Growing Systems on Growth, Yield, and Profitability of Chili Pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) Cultivars
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65141/jeraff.v6i1.n7Keywords:
chili pepper, hydroponic, nutrient film technique, soil-less, wick systemAbstract
Chili pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) is a high-value crop in the Philippines, but productivity is constrained by soil degradation, soil-borne diseases, and water scarcity. However, few local studies have directly compared different hydroponic systems and cultivars to identify optimal combinations for Philippine conditions. This study evaluated the effects of three growing systems, soil-based production, nutrient film technique (NFT), and wick system (WS), on growth, yield, productivity, and profitability of three cultivars: Siling Labuyo, Tinghala, and Pinatubo F1. The experiment employed a 3×3 factorial arrangement in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications per treatment, conducted at Los Baños, Laguna, under greenhouse conditions. Plants were assessed for grouped outcomes, including growth, yield, and profitability indicators. Yield was calculated based on total marketable fruit weight per plant and per 88.45 m2. Financial performance was evaluated through Return on Investment (ROI) and a five-year Net Present Value (NPV), accounting for all fixed infrastructure expenses, operational labor, and material input costs.
Data were analyzed using the STAR software for ANOVA and HSD mean comparison. Regarding vegetative and reproductive growth, Tinghala and Pinatubo F1 under both NFT and wick systems showed significantly higher plant height and flower counts at 30 DAT, increased root-to-shoot ratio (p ≤ 0.05), significantly higher number of fruits at 90 DAT (p ≤ 0.05), and highly significant increases (p ≤ 0.01) in fresh fruit weight and fruit diameter. Pinatubo F1 fruit yields increased by 65% in NFT and 63% in WS compared to soil culture. Pinatubo F1-WS produced the highest ROI, ranging from 52.69% at the low price (₱300/kg) to 205.39% at the high price (₱600/kg) and a net present value of ₱310,666.83 over five years. Considering the initial greenhouse costs and site-specific conditions, soilless cultivation (NFT/Wick system) with Pinatubo F1 offers a sustainable framework for profitable, high-yield chili production.
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