Response of growth and yield components of sweet pepper to different phosphorus application rates under screen house conditions in Wakiso district

Abstract

Intensive agriculture is a farming system characterized by a lot use of input, causing a harm and stress on the environment, as well as high prices of inorganic fertilizers discouraged some farmers in Uganda to apply fertilizers to their crops. Phosphorus (P) play an important role in the growth of sweet peppers. An adequate amount of P exerts significant effect on the growth, quality and yield of this crop. To evaluate suitable dose of P for different growth, and yield parameters of this crop. California wonder variety was used with an aim to improve it through selection on tropical soils under screen house conditions. An experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four treatments replicated four times. Maximum plant height (71.88cm), number of leaves per plant (32.13), number of days to 50% flowering (46days), number of fruits per plant (6.5), fruit yield per plant (0.8125 kg), and fruit yield per hectare (22.425 kg/ha) was observed when phosphorus was applied at a rate of 20kg/ha. Best results regarding the growth and yield parameters of bell peppers was observed when 20kg of P was applied per hactare, therefore, application of 20 kg/ha of P could be recommended to farmers for best growth and yield of this crop under Agro-climatic conditions of Wakiso district.