Use of basic slag in the ‘dedo de moça’ hot pepper seedlings production

Abstract

Studies on the use of steel slag have become essential for minimizing the environmental risk
resulting from improper disposal. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the
addition of increasing doses of basic slag in substrates composed of soil, bovine manure and
sand, in the growth variables of ”Dedo de moça” pepper plants(Capsicum baccatum L.).A
randomized block design was used, with 5 treatments of basic slag (0%, 2.5%, 5%, 10% and
20%) and 4 replicates as treatments. Plant height, Number of leaves and Dry matter of shoot
and root were evaluated. Regression models were adjusted (P <0.05) in the treatments with
increasing levels of basic slag..The addition of about 10% of basic slag in the substrate provided
the highest values of growth variables in “Dedo de moça” pepper plantsThe use of basic
slag may be an alternative to reduce the production costs of seedlings, minimizing the impacts
generated by the steel sector.