Contribution from vermicompost to trace element uptake in Capsicum baccatum L. var. pendulum grown under organic management at La Molina, Peru

Trace elements accumulation is a permanent concern in organic agriculture, especially when high doses of organic fertilizers are used. A field experiment was carried out under organic management in an alkaline soil to assess the effect of different doses (0, 8, 16 and 32 t ha^-1) of vermicompost on the uptake of trace elements in yellow pepper (Capsicum baccatum L. var. pendulum). Treatments were distributed in a randomized complete block design with three replicates, and vermicompost was applied before transplant and incorporated into the upper 15 cm of soil in each one. Crop yield, dry matter and the concentrations and total uptake of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb) were determined. Results indicate that among metals iron (Fe) had the highest uptake, and lead (Pb) the lowest, whereas no significant differences were found between vermicompost treatments and the control for yield, dry matter and the concentrations of trace elements in fruits, with the only exception of chromium, whose concentrations increased 2- to 4-fold by using vermicompost. Results may indicate that high doses of vermicompost can be used for yellow pepper production in alkaline soils, but chromium contents must be always monitored.