Evaluation of Two Types of Bio-Fertilizer with Nitrogen Fertilizer Levels on Pepper Plants under Controlled Greenhouse Macroclimate

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Veg. Res. Dept., Horti. Res. Inst., Agric. Rec. Center.

2 Protected Cultivation Res. Dept., Horti. Res. Inst., Agric. Rec. Center.

Abstract

Two experiments were carried out during of 2012 and 2013 seasons under controlled macroclimate of greenhouses on sweet pepper plant (Capsicum annuum L.) CV. Spanish to investigate the effects of two bio-fertilizer types, i.e., microbin and blue-green algae and different levels of nitrogen, i.e., 0, 60, 120 and 180 kg N/fed on plant growth, yield and its components as well as N, P and K concentrations (%) in both foliage and pepper fruits. The interaction between the two factors was also studied.
Treating pepper plants with bio-fertilizer, i.e., microbin or blue-green algae significantly increased foliage fresh and dry weights, plants height, fruit yield/plant and average fruit weight as well as nitrogen concentration in both foliage and fruits in the two seasons. On the other hand, number of main stems and fruits dry weight were not significantly affected by bio-fertilizer in both seasons. In addition the number of fruits/plant was not significantly affected in the first season only.
Increasing nitrogen level up to 120 kg N/fed led to significant increases in plant height, fresh and dry weights of foliage/plant, fruit yield/plant as well as average fruit weight in the two seasons. Also, nitrogen had positive effect on nitrogen concentrations percentage in both foliage and fruits in the two seasons.
The interaction between bio-fertilizer and nitrogen levels exerted significant effects on fruit yield/plant, number of fruits/plant and nitrogen concentrations in both foliage and fruits in the two seasons. Treating pepper plants with bio-fertilizer at the rate of 2 kg/greenhouse and 2 liter/greenhouse, intervals in addition to 60 kg N/fed gave the highest total fruit yield/plant. 

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