ISSN 2384-5058
Abstract
Hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is the most important crop consumed as a vegetable (green fruit) and spice (dry fruit) in the world (Bosland and Votava 2000). Hot pepper (Capsicum annuum species) is an economically important crop belonging to the family of Solanaceae (Bosland and Votava, 2000). The productivity of hot pepper is still constrained by a lack of proper nursery yield, a limiting factor in vegetable crop production in Ethiopia (Alemu and Ermias, 2000). According to the Ethiopian Export Promotion Agency (Ethiopian Export Promotion Agency, 2003) report, hot pepper is a high-value and important cash-generating commodity for small-scale farmers in Ethiopia. Application of balanced fertilisers is the basis for producing more crop output from existing land under cultivation (Caruso et al., 2019). It enhances sustainable production and provides nutrient needs to crops according to their physiological requirements and expected yields (Ryan, 2008). Previous fertiliser research work in Ethiopia has been focused on nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) fertiliser sources under different soil types and various climatic conditions, while very limited work has been reported with other essential macro- and micro-nutrients (K, S, Fe, Zn, B, etc.). Low soil fertility is one of the bottlenecks to sustaining agricultural production and productivity in Ethiopia. Application of chemical fertilisers in the crop field contributes greatly to the deterioration of the environment, loss of soil fertility, less agricultural productivity and soil degradation (Imbar et al., 1993). Compared to inorganic fertiliser, organic manure is readily available to the farmers, and the price is also low (Alem et al., 2007). Cow manure vermicompost could be used as an excellent soil amendment for main fields and nursery beds and has been reported to be useful in raising nursery species plants (Chanda et al., 2007). Vermicomposting means the use of earthworms for composting organic residues.
Keywords: Verm-compost Application, Growth, Yield of Hot pepper (Cupsicum annuum), Soil Fertility