Soil application of sulfur in the production of chocolate habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.)

Objective: The cultivation of chocolate with habanero chili was established to determine the effect of the application of agricultural sulfur on its production. Design/methodology/approach: The experiment was conducted from August to July, under field conditions and plastic mulch in Apatzingán, Michoacán, Mexico. Treatments consisted of wettable agricultural sulfur applied at doses of 15, 30, 45 and 60 kg ha-1, plus a control without sulfur application. The sulfur was incorporated into the soil around the plants 10 days after transplanting. Results: The number of fruits per plant was significantly lower in the control treatment compared to the 15 and 45 kg ha-1 of sulfur doses. Similarly, fruit length and diameter were smaller in the control treatment compared to all sulfur doses. No significant differences in fruit weight were observed between the control and the sulfur treatments. The highest fruit yields were achieved with sulfur doses of 15, 30, and 45 kg ha⁻¹, yielding 22.5, 20.6, and 22 t ha⁻¹, respectively. Limitations on study/implications: Sulfur fertilization constitutes an effective strategy to increase yields under the experimental conditions. Findings/conclusions: Applying 15 kg ha⁻¹ of sulfur is sufficient to enhance fruit production in chocolate-type habanero peppers grown in alkaline soils.