Combined application of rice-straw biochar and poultry manure to promote nutrient uptake and yield of Capsicum frutescens

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out during the cropping season of 2021 to examine the influence of sole or combined application of rice- straw biochar and poultry manure on yield, nutrient uptake, and physiological attributes of Capsicum frutescens. The experiment was  arranged in a randomized complete block design with five replicates. Treatments were 10 t/ha biochar (BC), 5 t/ha biochar + 5 t/ha  poultry manure (BC+PM), 10 t/ha poultry manure (PM), and no amendment as the control (NA). Parameters determined were fruit yield,  aboveground biomass, macro and micro nutrients in leaves, antinutrients content, and pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids) concentration. Data were analysed with one-way analysis of variance while means were separated using Duncan‘s Multiple  Range Test at p<0.05. Soil amended with PM increased the nitrogen content of C. frutescens leaves by 40.9% while polyphenol and phytic  acid were reduced by 20.5% and 29.2%, respectively compared with NA. Moreover, PM increased chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b by 91.9%  and 16.4% respectively whereas proline was reduced by 31.3% compared with NA. However, PM and BC+PM had comparable influence on  pigments, nutrients and antinutrients contents of C. frutescens. BC+PM significantly increased yield and aboveground biomass of C.  frutescens by 52.9% and 99.2%, respectively compared with NA. BC had no significant influence on the yield and nutrient uptake of C.  frutescens compared with NA. In conclusion, sole application of poultry manure or combined with rice-straw biochar increased yield and  nutrients availability in the leaves of C. frutescens.