Swine Wastewater Impact on Elemental Distribution in the Growth of Habanero Pepper Seedlings

The increasing demand for food has led to rise in both swine and agricultural production. However, pig farming contributes significantly to environmental pollution. Swine wastewater is rich in nutrients and can serve as an alternative source of fertilization for plants. This study evaluated the effects of swine wastewater on the distribution and con-centration of essential and non-essential elements, and morphology of habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) seedlings. Seedlings were irrigated with varying concentrations of swine wastewater: T1= 20% wastewater + 80% water; T2= 40% wastewater + 60% water; T3= 60% wastewater + 40% water; T4= 80% wastewater + 20% water; T5= 100% wastewater; T6= control (100% water with conventional fertilization). The experiment fol-lowed a completely randomized design with five replications. Parameters measured in-cluded seedling emergence, distribution and concentration of essential and non-essential elements, morphological characteristics, and seedling quality were measured. Emergence percentage and rate were highest in T1 and T6. Potassium and calcium showed excellent distribution and concentration in seedlings, under diluted wastewater treatments, pro-moting better growth. In contrast, irrigation with 100% wastewater increased chlorine and sulfur accumulation, negatively affecting morphology. Diluted swine wastewater im-proved elemental availability, seedling emergence, and growth. Thus, using diluted swine wastewater, particularly at 20%, presents a viable alternative for the production of high-quality habanero pepper seedlings.