vermicompost is highly organic and contains no chemicals, so it is environmentally friendly. It is more nutritious and releases nutrients at a slow rate that is easily taken up by plants, and it eliminates the need for application of pesticides, since plants are healthy and free from any pest and diseases
Abstract
Present research 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 T1 (Promix), T2 (vermicompost), T3 (189), T4 (189 + vermicompost), and lastly, control which had no fertilizers. T1, T3, and T4 were inorganic fertilizers, and T2 was organic. Results obtained showed that T3 (chemical fertilizer) has a significant effect on the growth of pepper plants producing plants with better plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, stem diameter, higher fruit yield, fruit weight and fruit diamete
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Materials and method
Vermicomposting unit was set up at the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) at Mon repos, Georgetown. All plants were planted at NAREI. Physicochemical analysis and microbial analysis of planting substrates were done at The University of Guyana, Faulty of Natural Sciences Biology Laboratory. The chemical analysis of fruits was done at the Fruit and Drug Department.
Harvesting
After harvesting, the following analyses were taken:
- Root and shoot biomass which involve both wet and dry weight
- Shoot length, Number of leaves, diameter of stem, and number of branch
- Total fruit weight, fruit diameter(cm)
Conclusion
The use of vermicompost for growing pepper plants did not have a greater effect on plant growth and productivity than other fertilizers. Chemical fertilizers (T3) have proven to be the best medium for growing pepper plants producing plants with greater plant height, leaf number, number of branches, and fruit yield. Chemical fertilizers not only does affect plant growth positively but also have negative impacts on pepper plants by causing pest and diseases on every plants grown in this treatment and premature dropping of fruits. Pepper plants also had a delay in flowering and fruiting period as compared to vermicompost,.
