Comparative Effects of Four Liquid Fertilizers on the Growth and Yield of Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) under Soilless Cultivation in Southern Côte d’Ivoire
Aug 2026· Journal of biology and nature· Vol 18, pp. 431-441· 0 citations
Abstract
In the face of growing demand for vegetable crops, particularly solanaceous species, the excessive use of synthetic fertilisers and the degradation of arable soils are major constraints on agricultural production in West African urban and peri-urban areas. Soilless cultivation is therefore gaining importance as an alternative production system that is less dependent on soil quality. This study compared the effects of four liquid fertilisers - two organic (a poultry manure extract and a manure-based fertiliser) and two mineral fertilisers (Nutrigofol 8-8-8 and NPK 12-22-22, with the latter serving as the control) - on the growth and yield of pepper grown under soilless conditions, with the broader aim of identifying nutrient solutions that could reduce growers’ dependence on chemical fertilisers. The trial followed a randomised complete block design with four replicates. Treatment had a significant effect on most growth and yield parameters (p < 0.001). The organic fertilisers, particularly the poultry manure extract, produced significantly higher values than the mineral fertilisers for floral bud number, fruit number, fruit mass, and estimated yield. Estimated yield reached 5.11 t ha⁻¹ with the poultry manure extract, followed by the manure-based fertiliser (3.69 t ha⁻¹), Nutrigofol 8-8-8 (2.81 t ha⁻¹), and NPK 12-22-22 (2.64 t ha⁻¹). Because no unfertilised control was included, these results describe the relative performance of the four fertilisers rather than their absolute agronomic efficiency. Within this comparative scope, the findings indicate that organic nutrient solutions derived from locally available livestock waste can support pepper productivity in soilless systems at least as well as, and for several parameters better than, the mineral fertilisers tested. Valorising such organic waste as low-cost biofertilisers could contribute to more affordable and resilient vegetable production for expanding West African cities, provided these trends are confirmed against an unfertilised control and under real production conditions.
Okra is a key vegetable in West Africa, but poor fertilization practices and low soil fertility constrain its productivity. This study evaluated the responses of two okra varieties (AVOK1504 and Konni) to twelve fertilization treatments, including poultry manure (PM), foliar biostimulant (ABC grower), NPK, Urea, and K
2
SO
4
, applied alone or in combination. A split-plot design with three replications was used, with “Variety” as the main factor and “Fertilizers” as the sub-factor. The field trial was implemented over two seasons (years 2021 and 2022) at Abomey-Calavi (Southern Benin) with Sudano-Guinean climatic conditions. Growth parameters, yield components, soil properties, and climatic data were collected. Analysis of variance with the least significant difference at
p
< 0.05, was performed to assess statistical differences in growth parameters, yield, and yield components. Fertilization regimes significantly influenced plant height, stem diameter, branching, and leaf development (
p
< 0.001). T2 induced early flowering and fruiting for the Konni variety, whatever the season: respectively 38.3 and 39.3 days after sowing (season1) 47 and 48 days after sowing (season2). Konni yielded significantly higher than AVOK1504 regardless the season (
p
< 0.001). Sole organic fertilizer and its combinations with mineral fertilizers enhanced growth and yield, with 10 t/ha PM (T2), 10 t/ha PM + 200 kg NPK + 50 kg Urea + 50 kg K₂SO₄ (T6) and T7 (T6 + 250L/ha ABC grower) achieving the highest yields: 4.3 t/ha, 5.3 t/ha and 5.8 t/ha, respectively, for Konni against 5.1 t/ha, 4.8 t/ha and 5.3 t/ha, respectively, for AVOK1504. Sole PM at 10 t/ha (T2) showed similar statistical yield performance as T6 and T7, despite its low inputs composition, and additionally most effectively enhanced soil pH, total N, Ca, and Mg. Notably, none of the treatments increased soil organic carbon or available phosphorus, an unexpected result given the high carbon content of the PM applied. Findings highlight the agronomic benefits of integrated nutrient management for optimizing okra productivity and soil health. These results inform fertilizer recommendations and sustainable soil fertility management strategies for okra-producing regions in Benin and similar agroecological zones.
J. Honfoga, Sognigbé N'Danikou, Eric C. Legba et al.· Frontiers in Sustainable Foo...· 0 citations
Global demand for horticultural commodities, particularly Bird’s Eye Chili (Capsicum frutescens L.), continues to increase due to their function as a household food ingredient and a source of bioactive compounds with health benefits. In Indonesia, Capsicum frutescens are a strategic commodity that influences inflation, making increasing productivity a crucial part of national food security. However, low soil fertility and high dependence on inorganic chemical fertilizers hamper productivity while increasing production costs and environmental pressures. Sustainable fertilization using local organic resources is an important strategy to improve soil health and plant performance. This study aimed to evaluate the combined effect of liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) and Azolla microphylla compost on Capsicum frutescens growth and yield, by simultaneously assessing five parameters: plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, number of branches, and fruit production. The experiment was conducted in Langgomea Village, Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi, with chili seedlings planted in 25 cm polybags containing a mixture of local garden soil and rice husk charcoal (2:1 v/v). A factorial Randomized Complete Block Design was applied with LOF (0, 10, 20, 40 ml/L) and compost (0, 10, 20, 40 g/plant), resulting in 16 treatment combinations, each replicated three times (a total of 144 plants). Growth and yield data were recorded weekly for 12 weeks; harvesting was carried out from the first to the last harvest. Statistical analysis using ANOVA and LSD at a significance level of 5% with R 4.3 and SPSS 28, provides a scientific basis for sustainable organic fertilization strategies and optimization of local resources. The results showed that the combination of LOF and Azolla microphylla compost significantly affected all growth and production parameters of Capsicum frutescens. The highest plant height was achieved in the P3K3 treatment (83.67 cm), followed by an increase in stem diameter to 136 mm, number of leaves to 104, and number of branches to 31.33. This increase in vegetative growth is in line with the high nitrogen and phosphorus content of Azolla, which supports cell formation, chlorophyll, protein, and nucleic acid synthesis. It was also found that Capsicum frutescens L. fruit production increased significantly with the combination of LOF and compost, reaching the highest average of 108.67 kg per plant in the P2K3 treatment. This confirms that the application of Azolla-based organic fertilizer provides sufficient nutrients, increases photosynthesis, biomass, and fruit yield accumulation. The interaction of liquid fertilizer and compost provides optimal synergistic effects for vegetative growth and plant productivity in the field. These findings bridge the research gap regarding the simultaneous use of liquid fertilizer and Azolla compost on Capsicum frutescens L., in humid tropical agroecosystems, while also providing practical implications for sustainable organic fertilization strategies. Application of these findings can improve resource efficiency, reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers, and support environmentally friendly tropical horticultural management.
Keywords: Bird’s Eye Chili, liquid organic fertilizer, Azolla microphylla compost, fruit yield, humid tropical agroecosystem, sustainable fertilization.
S. Suharjo, Ulyasniati Ulyasniati· Journal of Global Innovation...· 0 citations
Pennisetum glaucum L. is a cereal grown in Burkina Faso. However, its cultivation encounters pedoclimatic constraints. The present study aims to evaluate the effect of supplemental irrigation and organic and mineral fertilizers on the physiology and production of local millet C-88 and two varieties of Chinese millet (ZZG21 and JG47). As a result, the three millet varieties were grown according to a split-split plot system, then four levels of fertilization and two water regimes were applied. The results showed a significant difference (p < 0.0001) in physiological and production parameters. At the flowering stage, C-88 fertilized with NPK (-0.39 ± 0.02 MPa) or with the fertilizer Liquid fertilizer (-0.41 ± 0.05 MPa) and JG47 fertilized with NPK (-0.42 ± 0.06 MPa) or fertilizer Liquid fertilizer (-0.4 ± 0.02 MPa), obtained higher minimum water potentials. Also, C-88 had higher yields on soils watered and fertilized with NPK (9.46 ± 0.67 g of 1000 grains) or with fertilizer Liquid fertilizer (9.41 ± 0.59 g of 1000 grains) compared to Chinese varieties including JG47 watered and fertilized with NPK (2.67 ± 0.43 g of 1000 grains) or fertilizer Liquid fertilizer (2.65 ± 0.37 g of 1000 grains). C-88 and JG47 could therefore be recommended to have better physiological responses and better production on soils amended with NPK or Liquid fertilizer fertilizer in complementary irrigation.
Hadara Nomba Ouedraogo· International Journal of Bio...· 0 citations
Onion (Allium cepa L.) is an important crop with high nutritional and medicinal value and provides income for smallholder and large-scale farmers. Utilizing blanket fertilizer recommendations for open-pollinated onion varieties often results in suboptimal productivity. Therefore, it is crucial to optimize fertilizer requirements for high-yielding onion hybrids to enhance onion production. This study assessed the effects of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers on the growth and yield of onion hybrid Neptune in Woleh during the dry- winter season of 2024. The analysis of variance indicated that nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers significantly affected (P ≤ 0.05) onion growth and yield. The treatment combinations of 138 kg N ha− 1 and 34.5 kg P2O5 ha− 1 recorded the highest marketable bulb yield of 32.77 t ha− 1 and the highest net benefit with acceptable marginal rate of return (MRR) (4546.64%). Accordingly, application of 138 kg N ha− 1 and 34.5 kg P2O5 ha− 1 is recommended for the production of onion hybrid Neptune in Woleh. Since, the experiment was conducted in one location and for one season, further studies across different areas and multiple growing seasons are recommended to establish reliable and broadly applicable nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer recommendations for onion.
Millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is a staple crop in semi-arid Nigeria, but its productivity is constrained by poor soil fertility. While inorganic NPK fertilizers can boost yields, their long-term use may degrade soil health. Organic alternatives like Gliricidia sepium remain underutilized despite their potential to improve soil quality. A field experiment was conducted at the Dryland Teaching and Research Farm, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, during the 2025 cropping season. The treatments comprised: T₁ (NPK 15 g plant⁻¹), T₂ (Gliricidia-based organic fertilizer 100 g plant⁻¹), T₃ (50 g Gliricidia + 7.5 g NPK plant⁻¹), and T₄ (control). The treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Data were collected on growth parameters, yield components, and post-harvest soil physicochemical properties. Analysis of variance was used to test treatment effects at p<0.05. Fertilizer application significantly (p<0.05) influenced millet growth at later stages. Plants treated with Gliricidia (T₂ and T₃) were significantly taller at 9 and 12 weeks after planting and produced more tillers than the NPK-only and control treatments. Although not statistically significant (p<0.05), the sole Gliricidia treatment (T₂) gave the highest grain yield (1.05 t ha⁻¹), representing a 48% increase over the control (0.71 t ha⁻¹). Post-harvest soil analysis showed that Gliricidia-amended plots had significantly higher pH (6.40) compared to the NPK-only plots (6.31). Available phosphorus and exchangeable potassium were significantly higher in the NPK treatment, while total nitrogen remained unaffected across treatments. Gliricidia-based organic fertilizer effectively enhances millet growth and shows strong potential for improving grain yield while buffering soil pH against acidification. It is recommended as a sustainable nutrient management option for smallholder farmers in the Sudan Savanna of Nigeria.
S. B. Shamaki, G. A. Abubakar, M. B. Oyun et al.· Journal of Agriculture and E...· 0 citations
Canola (Brassica napus L.) is one of the key oilseed crops worldwide, serving as a vital source of edible oil, livestock feed, and biofuel. In Afghanistan, canola production faces significant challenges due to declining soil fertility and over-reliance on expensive chemical fertilizers. Poultry manure, as a low cost and nutrient-rich organic fertilizer, offers a sustainable alternative for improving crop productivity. However, limited scientific information is available regarding the optimal poultry manure application rate for canola under Kabul’s agro-climatic conditions. Therefore, an experimental research was conducted at Kabul University Agricultural Research Farm during the 2025 cropping season using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications and four treatments. The study aimed to evaluate Effects of Different Levels of Poultry manure on Growth, Yield, and Yield Components of Canola. The findings of the study revealed that the application of poultry manure significantly influenced on growth, yield and yield components of canola. Overall, the application of 8-ton poultry manure ha-1 had better performance than control. The maximum plant height (117.45 cm), number of branches plant-1 (5.65), number of leaves plant-1 (39.77), number of siliques plant-1 (184.61), silique length (6.01 cm), number of seeds silique-1 (18.39), thousand seed weight (3.40 g), seed yield (2.74 t ha⁻¹), biological yield (9.87 t ha⁻¹), and harvest index (27.76%) were all recorded in T4. The lowest values for all parameters were observed in the control treatment (T1). It is recommended that use 8 tons of poultry manure ha-1 in order to realize optimal seed yield and biological yield of the crop.
Murtaza Nabizada, A. Afghani· International Journal of Cur...· 0 citations
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