Effects of Organic and Inorganic Manure on the Growth and Yield of Pepper (Capsicum Annum L.) In the University of Uyo Agricultural Education Skills Acquisition Farm

Abstract

Pepper is a spicy vegetable consumed by households all over the world because of its importance and spicy quality in food. Over the years the production of this important crop has been abysmally low leading to high price and increase in household food consumption expenditure. This however informed the decision of the researcher to carry out the study on the topic “Effect of Organic and Inorganic Manures on the Growth and Yield of Pepper (capsicum annum L.) in the University of Uyo Agricultural Education Skills Acquisition Farm”. Two research questions and two hypotheses respectively were formulated to guide the study. The study adopted a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The population of the study comprised 500 stands of pepper plants raised in the nursery following nursery planting operations. Samples of 400 stands of pepper were thinned for the study using purposive sampling technique. Calibrated meter ruler was used to collect data on the height of pepper plant; number of pepper fruit was determined by counting and computing using scientific calculator while the weight of pepper fruits and the manures was measured using spring balance scale. The measurement apparatus were already validated and standardized but was cross checked by the researcher’s supervisor to be sure they are functional. Data collected were analyzed using mean to answer research questions and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Findings of the study indicated that poultry manure has greater growth effect on the height, the number of fruits and on the weight of fruits of pepper plant followed by NPK (15:15:15) and no manure in University of Uyo Agricultural Education Skills Acquisition Farm. Furthermore, significant effect was observed in the height, the number of fruits and on the weight of fruits of pepper grown with poultry manure followed by N:P:K (15:15:15) and no manure in the study area. On the basis of the findings it was recommended among others that prospective and existing farmers should apply poultry manure to enhance the yield performance of pepper to meet its market demand within and outside Uyo Local Government Area.