THE EFFECT OF SHEEP WOOL MANURE ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF PEPPER (Capsicum annuum) PLANT

Abstract

Sheep wool is important organic fertilizer, friendly for environment, and  rich in nitrogen, carbon, and sulfur. In this study, the sheep wool manure fertilizer doses (0, 0.6, 1.2, 1.8, 2.4, 3.0, 3.6, 4.8, 6.0 t da^-1) were applied to the root area of ​​the seedlings in the soil to investigate its effect on the pepper plant growth under greenhouse condition. The seeds of the crop were initially pre-sowed in trays, and further, transplanted into the flowerpots.  Following the treatment, the plant length, root length, shoot fresh weight, root fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, fruit weight, fruit diameter, fruit height, number of fruits per plant, water-soluble dry matter, and SPAD value were measured. The results showed that some yield characteristics of pepper plants were significantly affected (p<0.01) with the increment in the doses of sheep wool manure applications. Generally, in the yield components of the pepper plant, the lowest and highest values were obtained from 6.0 t da^-1 and 1.2 t da^-1 of the manure application, respectively. It was concluded that the ideal dose of sheep wool manure for the crop is 1.2 - 2.4 t da^-1