Effect of Charcoal and NPK Fertilizer on the Yield of Two Peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) Varieties: Jalapeno and Local
James Flomo Gaydaybu
Cuttington University, Bong County, Liberia.
Lamin K. M. Fatty *
School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of the Gambia, Brikama Campus, Gambia.
Francis Gbelee
Bong County Technical College, BRAC, Gbarnga Office, Gbarnga City, Liberia.
Philips G. S. Ndaloma
Bong County Technical College, Gbarnga City, Liberia.
J. Gayflor B. Argba
Solidaritare, Lofa County, Liberia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This research was conducted to analyze the effects of charcoal + NPK (charcoal combines with NPK) fertilizer on the yield of two pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) varieties: Jalapeno and Local. This research considered four treatment levels: control = no treatment, charcoal = 450 g plot-1, NPK = 112.5 g plot-1 and charcoal + NPK combination. The experimental plot size was 1.5 square meter. Treatments were replicated 8 times. Data collected on yield parameters were: Number of pods, pod weight, pod length and pod diameter. Data collections were done for three consecutive months. Data analyzed indicated that Local pepper performed better than Jalapeno for all treatments. The charcoal + NPK treated plots performed best than other treatments. For the Local pepper number of pods, charcoal + NPK applied plots had a mean of 16.79 million pods ha-1, NPK applied plots had a mean of 12.69 million pods ha-1, charcoal applied plots also had a mean of 7.20 million pods ha-1 while the control plots had a mean of 6.76 million pods ha-1 as an average means of pods harvested for the 3 months. For the Jalapeno pod weight, charcoal + NPK had a mean of 1.85 ton ha-1, NPK had 1.58 ton ha-1 as a mean, charcoal also had a mean of 1.05 ton ha-1 while the Control plots had 0.85 ton ha-1 as a mean for total pod weight.
Keywords: Charcoal, NPK fertilizer, growth, yield and pepper.