Growth and Yield of Chili Pepper under Different Time Application of Wedelia (Wedelia trilobata) and Siam Weed (Chromolaena odorata) Organic Fertilizers

Abstract

Low content of soil organic matter and low availability of nutrients in Ultisol are major constraints of this soil to support growth and development of chili pepper. Application of organic fertilizer is required to increase content of soil organic matter as well as to improve other chemical, biological, physical properties of this soil. Wedelia (Wedelia trilobata)  and Siam Weed (Chromolaena odorata)  are potential sources of organic fertilizer. The aim of this study was to compare growth and yield of chili pepper under different time application of Wedelia and Siam Weed based organic fertilizers. Greenhouse house experiment was conducted employing Completely Randomized Design with 2 factors namely Wedelia and Siam Weed composts as first factor and 5 (five) different time of application as second factor. Each treatment was replicated 5 times. The study showed that most variables observed in this experiment were not affected by types of compost. Only were plant height, canopy width and dry weight of biomass significant difference between the two composts. Siam weed compost applied two weeks before planting resulted in plant canopy wider than Wedelia compost. However, Wedelia compost applied at planting resulted in longer chili pepper as compared to Siam weed compost. The experiment also revealed that Wedelia compost produced higher plant height and root dry weight as compared to Siam weed compost.