Growth and productivity of pepper plants using vermicompost and other fertilizers

Increase in application of inorganic fertilizers in agriculture has detoriated the soil quality even though productivity is increase. Vermicompost as a soil conditioner has been emerging as a potential end use for maintaining soil productivity. This study was carried out during the year 2014-2015 at the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) to determine the effect of vermicompost and other fertilizers on the growth and productivity of pepper plants ( Capsicum chinense ). Plants were treated with five different treatments namely T 1 (Promix), T 2 (Vermicompost), T 3 (189), T 4 (189+Vermicompost) and lastly control which had no fertilizers.T 1 , T 3 and T 4 were inorganic fertilizers and T 2 was organic. All treatments were replicated three times in a randomized block design method. Results obtained showed that T 3 (chemical fertilizer) have a significant effect  on the growth of pepper plants producing plants with better plant height, number of leaves, number of branches and stem diameter. Plants treated with this treatment also had higher fruit yield, fruit weight and fruit diameter. Mineral nutrients were highest in plants treated with inorganic fertilizers as compare to the organic fertilizer. Maximum chlorophyll level was present in plants treated with T 2 .  There were relatively high levels of pest and diseases in plants treated with chemical fertilizers, delayed flowering and fruiting period and high levels of leaf and fruit abscission as compare to plants treated with organic fertilizer (T2).  Moreover, T 3 have proven to have a greater effect on the growth parameters of pepper plants but not the quality of plants produce.