Fertilizer recommendation for pepper based on soil properties and nutrient uptake

Abstract

Generally, pepper fertilizer's application is based on the old recommendation decided by related institutions. Fertilizer application in the SpiceUp project is based on current soil properties and nutrient uptake. This study aimed to compare leaf chlorophyll content and plant growth with fertilization treatment based on soil and nutrient uptake (recommendation) and fertilization treatment based on the old recommendation (conventional). The treatments tested on two varieties of pepper, namely Petaling 1 and Nyelungkup. Measurements of leaf chlorophyll content and plant growth parameters were in a demonstration plot located in Namang District, Central Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung Islands, from December 2020 to March 2021. The leaf chlorophyll content was expressed by the chlorophyll content index, and plant growth parameters were represented by the number of leaves, number of internodes, number of climbing vines, number of fruit stalks, and plant height. The results showed that the leaf chlorophyll content and plant growth parameters with the recommendation treatment were higher than conventional treatments, in the Petaling 1 and Nyelungkup varieties. The results suggested that recommended treatment of the SpiceUp provided more optimum nutrients for pepper.