Effect of Organic and Mineral Fertilizers on Growth, Yield and Composition of Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

Abstract

The response of pepper to various mixtures of organic manures was studied with and without supplementary addition of mineral fertilizer under field conditions. Application of farmyard manure + poultry manure at 5 t ha−1 each, supplemented with 50 kg N ha−1 resulted in significantly higher fruit yield compared with other treatments in 1995. Farmyard manure at 10 t ha−1 + poultry manure at 5 t ha−1 out-yielded other treatments in 1996. High rates of combined organic and mineral fertilizers significantly reduced crop establishment in 1996 and caused excessive vegetative growth in both years of study. Poultry manure had higher concentration of nutrients in both years. Mineral nitrogen fertilization resulted in higher concentrations of N, P and K in pepper fruits. © 2000 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.