The Effect of Liquid Organic Fertilizer from Gamal Leaves (Gliricidia sepium) on the Growth of Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) as a Natural Substitute for Urea

Abstract

This study aims to determine the effect of liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) made from gamal leaves (Gliricidia sepium) on the growth of bird’s eye chili (Capsicum frutescens L.) as an alternative to natural urea fertilizer. The research is based on the high demand for fertilizers in chili cultivation and the negative impacts of excessive chemical fertilizer use on soil and the environment. Gamal leaves contain essential nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), which support plant growth. The experiment used various concentrations of gamal leaf LOF applied to chili plants, with observations on plant height, leaf number, and other morphological traits. Results showed that gamal leaf LOF positively affected plant growth, with certain concentrations performing better than the control. This indicates that gamal leaf LOF can serve as an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to natural urea fertilizer.