Fruit Characteristics of Bell Pepper Cultivated in Sheep Manure Vermicompost Substituted Soil

Abstract

ABSTRACT The effects of earthworm-processed sheep manure (vermicompost) on growth, productivity, and characteristics of bell pepper fruits (Capsicum annum) (cv ‘Ancho supremo’) were investigated in a greenhouse experiment. Six treatments were applied combining vermicompost and soil in 0:1, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, and 1:5 (v/v) ratios. Plant characteristics were measured 21 and 90 days after transplanting. Addition of vermicompost increased plant size significantly with 8 cm in the 1:3 vermicompost: soil treatment compared to the unamended soil after 21 days, but no significant differences were found after 90 days. Seven more flowers were found in the 1:2 vermicompost: soil treatment and four in the 1:3 vermicompost: soil treatment compared to the unamended soil after 90 days. The number of marketable fruits per plant was significantly 1.5 and 1.9 times greater in the 1:2 and 1:3 vermicompost: soil treatments compared to plants cultivated in unamended soil after 90 days. The addition of vermicompost to soil increased soluble solids in pepper fruits > 2 Brix compared to fruits from plants cultivated in unamended soil while their pH was significantly lower. The nitrogen (N) content of the pepper fruits was significantly higher in the 1:4 vermicompost: soil mixture compared to the other treatments, whereas the fruits obtained from plants cultivated in the 1:3 and 1:4 vermicompost: soil treatments had higher titratable acidity values than in those from other treatments. It was found that amounts and characteristics of pepper fruits from plants cultivated in soil supplemented with vermicompost were generally better than those from plants grown in soil only.