Evaluating Two Varieties of Sweet Pepper Using Different Nutrient Sources to Increase Productivity

Abstract

This experiment aims to increase sweet pepper production sustainably by using manures and a combination of manure and fertilizer. Manures are well known to improve soil health and maintain crop production for a relatively long period. This study was conducted under a tunnel house at the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute at Mon Repos East Coast Demerara, Guyana. Plots were arranged according to strip plot design with two treatments (Aristotle and Sunsation), four rates (R1: 0 g/plant), (R2: 350 kg NPK/ha + 10 t vermicompost/ha), (R3: 10 t poultry manure/ha + 10 t vermicompost/ha and (R4: 350 kg NPK/ha + 10 t poultry manure/ha) and replicated thrice. These nutrients were applied in a split application at four weeks before planting, and four, eight, and twelve-week intervals after planting. The varieties did not differ from one another for the vegetative parameters tested. Plants treated with Rate 2 achieved significantly better growth parameters such as plant height, plant spread, and number of branches than the other rates. Sunsation obtained a significantly higher yield of 21.4 t/ha at the 5% level as compared to Aristotle (19.9 t/ha). The various rates recorded significant differences in yield. Rate 2 obtained a significantly higher yield of 32.8 t/ha followed by Rate 4 with 24.9 t/ha, then Rate 3 (17.0 t/ha). The lowest yield of 7.8 t/ha was attained by Rate 1. The interaction of varieties and rates showed statistically significant differences in yield. The interaction of Sunsation and Aristotle with Rate 2 achieved a superior yield of 34.8 t/ha and 30.7 t/ha respectively than other rates. Rate 4 also obtained significant interaction with Sunsation and Aristotle to achieve a yield of 25.7 t/ha and 24.1 t/ha respectively than Rate 3. Rate 3 interacted significantly with Sunsation and Aristotle and obtained a yield of 16.5 t/ha and 17.5 t/ha compared to Rate 1. Rate 1 achieved the least interaction for both varieties tested. Rates differed significantly for fruit shelf-life at room temperature. Fruits obtained from Rate 3 recorded a significantly longer fruit shelf-life of 14.7 days for 50% decay when stored at room temperature (30.3 ˚ C) than other rates. The lowest fruit shelf-life of 7.7 days was obtained from Rate 1. This study indicated that the Sunsation variety is better to cultivate because of superior improvement in growth and yield attributes. The application of Rate 2 can considerably increase yield and when combined with Sunsation variety superior yield and yield attributes can be obtained.