Influence of organic and inorganic fertilizers on productivity and storage ability of sweet pepper

Said A. Shehata1, Mohamed M. El-Mogy1, Ahmed A. Gharib1, Mohamed A. Rahgh2.

Abstract

Two field experiments were conducted during the two successive winter seasons of 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 under green house conditions in a private farm at Fayed district, Ismailia Governorate to investigate the response of sweet pepper plants, Monist F1 hybrid, to the organic fertilizers (compost, rock phosphate with different rates of rock potassium (1.78, 2.34 and 3.00 kg / 30 m2) and inorganic fertilizer (100 kg ammonium nitrate +70 litre phosphoric acid (85% P2O5) + 200 kg potassium sulphat (48% K2O) / 540 m2) . The highest potassium rates (2.34 and 3.00 kg / 30 m2 plus compost and rock phosphate) and mineral fertilizers treatment (control) enhanced vegetative growth characteristics, early yield, total yield, physical and chemical properties of sweet pepper fruits. There was no difference between control (mineral fertilizer) and the highest potassium rates (2.34 and 3.00 kg / 30 m2). Weight loss and decay scores were decreased by using of the high rates of potassium fertilizers while, the general appearance and firmness of fruits were increased. Mineral fertilizer (control) showed the lowest quality parameters. The highest TSS, ascorbic acids and carotenoid contents were resulted from the two highest rates of rock potassium fertilizers. Thus organic fertilizers of sweet pepper plants could be an alternative to conventional fertilizer.

Key words

rock potassium, capsicum annuum, yield, storage ability