RESPONSE OF CHILE PEPPER (Capsicum annuum L.) TO SALT STRESS AND ORGANIC AND INORGANIC NITROGEN SOURCES: I.GROWTH AND YIELD (RESPUESTA DE PLANTAS DE CHILE (Capsicum annuum L.) AL ESTRÉS SALINO Y FUENTES ORGANICAS E INORGANICAS DE NITROGENO: I. CRECIMIENTO Y RENDIMIENTO)

SUMMARY The effect of two sources of nitrogen on plant growth, and fruit yield of chile pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cv. Sandia grown in greenhouse to increased salinity were evaluated. An organic source extracted from grass clippings in rates of 120 and 200 kg N ha -1 , and another inorganic (ammonium nitrate) in rate of 120 kg ha -1 were combined with low, moderate and high (1.5, 4.5, and 6.5 dS m -1 ) salinity levels arranged in a randomized complete block design replicated four times. Salinity treatments reduced dry matter production, leaf area, relative growth rate and net assimilation rate but increased leaf area ratio. Mean fresh fruit yields decreased for each N rate and source combinations as soil salinity increased. The organic fertilizer produced higher fruit yields tan the inorganic fertilizer. The highest fruit yield was obtained with the increased rate of organic N. The fruit number was more affected by salinity than the individual fruit weight. This organic fertilizer may be an effective N source for chile pepper and other vegetable crops grown under non- and salt-stressed conditions.