Effect of Reused Rockwool Slabs on the Performance of ‘Daras F1’ Hot Pepper Under Glasshouse Conditions

Abstract

: Reuse of rockwool slabs could improve sustainability of soilless cultivation. In this study effects of reused, two-year-old rockwool slabs on yield and quality of ‘Daras F1’ hot pepper hybrid was investigated, under commercial glasshouse conditions. Special attention was paid to anthocyanin discoloration disorder as the most important quality disorder of this pepper type. Total yield was the same, 15.26 kg m-2, for both treatments, while weight ratio of fruits having anthocyanin discoloration was significantly less for reused slabs (9%) than for the new ones (13%). Possibly higher buffer capacity of reused slabs reduced salt induced osmotic stress causing lower rate of anthocyanin biosynthesis.