Growth, Yield and Fruit Quality Response of Pepper ( Capsicum Annuum L.) Varieties to Blended Fertilizer Rates in Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is a vital spice and vegetable crop in Ethiopia, but its production is limited by soil nutrient depletion and lack of improved varieties. This study evaluated the effects of different levels of blended fertilizer on the growth, yield, and quality of three pepper varieties (Mareko-Fana, Bako local, and Oda haro) to identify the optimal fertilizer level for higher yields. The experiment used a Randomized Complete Block Design with three varieties and four fertilizer levels (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg/ha) arranged factorially and replicated three times. The results showed that fertilizer application affects the growth and yield parameters of the varieties. Oda haro well-maintained with 100 kg/ha had the tallest plants (68.25 cm), most branches (8.11), and longest fruits (9.04 cm). The highest marketable dry pod yield (1.99 t/ha) was attained by Oda haro with 150 kg/ha, comparable to Bako local under the same treatment. Similarly, Oda haro with 150 kg/ha produced the highest total dry pod yield (2.09 t/ha), which was not significantly different from Bako local with the same fertilizer level. The study concludes that applying 100 kg/ha of blended fertilizer to Oda haro or Bako local varieties significantly enhances marketable yield. However, since this research was conducted at one location in a single season, further studies are recommended across several locations and under variable conditions to confirm this result.