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

Agricultural production of most vegetables, including pepper and lettuce, often uses chemical fertilizers and pesticides which pollute the environment. Bioslurry, which is a byproduct of the biogas production process, is a good organic fertilizer for crops and improves soil fertility, soil structure, and yields of crops. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of bioslurry on the growth and yield of pepper and lettuce under Dilla zuria conditions. Four levels of bioslurry (0, 10, 15, and 20 t ha-1) were used for the experiment. The experiments of both vegetables were laid out separately and implemented in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The analysis of variance indicated significant differences (p<0.05), where maximum leaf number (357.47), leaf length (8.34 cm), leaf width (4.13 cm), plant height (46.95 cm), pod number (57.27), pod length (5.67 cm), and pod yield (3.75 t ha-1) for pepper, and maximum lettuce leaf number (8.35), leaf length (9.77 cm), leaf width (10.33 cm), plant height (21.5 cm), and leaf yield per plant (87.16 g) corresponded to the application of 20 t ha-1 of bioslurry. Based on this result, for the farmers of the study area, the application of 20 t ha-1 bioslurry is recommended tentatively for pepper pod (fruit) and lettuce leaf yield. However, since the experiment was done only once and at one location, similar experiments should be carried out using additional higher rates of bioslurry over several seasons and locations to make a conclusive recommendation.