Evaluation of Organic Fertilizers and Varieties for Organic Production of Sweet Pepper Capsicum annum L and Eggplant: Solanum melongena L.

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted at Shambat in the farm of the College of Agricultural Studies, Sudan University of Science and Technology. During the growing seasons 2005-2006 and 2007. In the first experiment three introduced varieties were tested for growth total yield and coloration parameters. The layout was a complete randomized block of four replications and four treatments, Niebla F1, Jumillia F1 and FelliniF1 were introduced varieties and California Wonder was standard variety. Urea fertilizer and superphosphate at a rate of 125 kg and 62.5 kg per hectare was used respectively, the weeding interval of 15 to 21 days, and the irrigation interval 5 to 7 days. Variety Niebla performed better than the other varieties Jumillia, California Wonder and Fellini. Niebla, Jumillia and Fellini took shorter time to germinate than the standard variety (7-10 days) for the three varieties and (15-21 days) for the standard variety. Niebla had the highest plants, greater number of leaves/plant, and the stem thickness. Niebla F1 had higher average number of fruits/plant, average fruit weight, average fruit weight/plant and overall total yield followed by JumilliaF1, California Wonder and Fellini F1. In the first season the growth, yield and coloration parameters were poor compared with the second season. The minimum temperature in the first season ranged between 16 -27.5°C and maximum ranged between 33.6-40.2°C. In the second season minimum temperature ranged between 12.9-19.9°C and the maximum temperature 27.5-36.6°C.This variations in temperature through the growing season gave this variation in growth and yield. In the second experiment the layout is a complete randomized block design of four replications with five treatments: 10 cubic meter, 15 cubic meter, 20 cubic meter chicken manure, Urea + super phosphate and control. The crops used: pepper variety (California Wonder) and egg plant variety (Black Beauty). Chicken manure treatments had positive effect on growth, yield, chemical shoot content, fruit chemical content parameters. Results of soil analysis showed significant effects on soil physical and chemical properties of soil moisture and texture, and N, NH4-N, NO3-N, P, K, Ca, Mg, organic matter and organic carbon. Chicken manure plots had significant effect on days to 50% flowering, plant height, number of leaves/plant and stem thickness. The yield of both crops significantly affected. The number of fruits per plant, fruit weight and fruit weight per plant were significantly greater. The shoot and fruit chemical analysis, chicken manure showed greater levels of Mg+, Ca+, K+, P and total N%, however in case of NH4-N% it was higher compared to No3-N% in both shoot and fruit than that of urea + superphosphate .