Yield and growth response of hot pepper (Capsicum annum) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) to bioslurry fertilizer application at Dilla Zuria, Gedio Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

Most of agricultural production including pepper and lettuce production often uses chemical fertilizers and pesticides which pollute the environment. Biogas slurry, which is by product of biogas production, is a good organic fertilizer for crops and improves the soil fertility, soil structure and yields of crops. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of biogas slurry for pepper and lettuce production at Dilla zuria condition. Four levels of biogas slurry (0, 10, 15 and 20 t ha^-1) prepared from peel of mango, papaya, avocado, banana, feese and dung were used as treatment. The experiment was laid out separately and implemented for both vegetable in randomized complete block design with three replications. The analysis of variance indicated significant (P<0.05) maximum leaf length 7.73 cm, leaf width 3.77cm and plant height 43.82 cm of pepper, and maximum lettuce leaf width 9.41 cm with application of 15 tha^-1 biogas slurry. While maximum leaf length 9.77cm and plant height 21.5cm of lettuce was recorded due to application of 20 tha^-1 biogas slurry. The maximum pod number 44.73/plant was recorded at the rate of 15 tha^-1 application of biogas slurry while maximum pepper pod length 5.67cm and fruit yield 3.75 tha^-1 was recorded due to application of 20 tha^-1 of biogas slurry while the maximum lettuce leaf yield was obtained with application of 15 tha^-1 biogas slurry. Based on this result, for the farmers of study area application of 15 tha^-1 biogas slurry is recommended tentatively for lettuce leaf yield production while application of 20 tha^-1 is recommended for pepper fruit or pod production. However, since the experiment was done only once and at one location, similar experiments should be carried out using additional higher rates of biogas slurry over several seasons and locations to make a conclusive recommendation.