Soil properties and growth of yellow bell pepper (Capsicum annum) as influenced by compost and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Abstract

Compost is an inexpensive agricultural waste which improves soil health and quality. The experiment was carried out to assess the influence of compost and mycorrhizal inoculation (Glomus mosseae) on soil properties and growth of yellow bell pepper in pots under screen house conditions, in a completely randomized design with three replicates. The treatments included mycorrhizal inoculation only (C0M1), compost at 20 t ha-1 only (C1M0), compost at 30 t ha-1 only (C2M0), compost and mycorrhizal inoculation at 20 t ha-1 (C1M1), compost and mycorrhizal inoculation at 30 t ha-1 (C2M1) and control (no amendment / uninoculated). Compost and mycorrhizal inoculation (C1M1 and C2M1) significantly improved soil N, P and K compared to control. Inoculation with mycorrhizal only (C0M1) increased uptake of N, P, K, Ca and Mg compared to uninoculated. Co-utilization of compost and mycorrhizal inoculation significantly increased root and shoot dry biomass compared to uninoculated. The highest fruit yield was obtained at C2M1 followed by C1M1 in comparison to compost application only. Treatment C2M1 recorded the highest prevalence of percent root colonization. This suggests that compost and Glomus mossea could be considered to have a sustainable potential for better growth and yield performance in the production of yellow bell pepper in an Alfisol.