Effects of sheep manure, plant population and nitrogen levels on growth and fresh fruit yield of chilli pepper (Capsicum frutescence l.) at Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted between 2004 and 2006 at the Institute for Agricultural Research Farm, Samaru Zaria in the Northern guinea savannah ecological zone of Nigeria, to study the response of chilli pepper (Capsicum frutescence L.) to sheep manure, plant population and nitrogen levels. Treatments evaluated consisted of four levels of sheep manure rates (0 t, 5 t, 10 t, and15 t ha^-1), three plant populations (22,222; 44,444; and 66,666 plants ha¹) and four rates of Nitrogen (0kg,60kg 120kg and 180 kg N ha¹). The treatments were laid out in a split plot design and replicated three times.  Result showed that application of sheep manure produced about significant increase in number of branches by 80%, similarly number of fruits increased by more than 600% and fresh fruit yields (Kg ha^-1) recorded 57% increase over the control. Plant population was observed to significantly increase in the number of fruits per plant with 22,222 and 44,444plant/ha recording similar values, but higher number of fruits produced per plant than 66,666 plants ha^-1 However, fresh fruit yield of Chilli pepper was not significantly influenced by plant population. The use of 120kgN ha¹ resulted in increased number of   branches, fruit per plant and fresh fruit yields by 57 and 60% respectively over non fertilized plants.  Application of sheep manure at 10 t ha¹, +44,444plants ha and 120kgN ha could be recommended for the production of chilli pepper under rain fed condition in Northern Guinea savannah.