S13 - Session P2 - Enhancing growth, yield and nutritional quality of pepper using mineral fertilizer together with moringa leaf powder (MLP)

Authors: Bonga Ngcobo *, Isa Bertling, Alistair Clulow

The agricultural sector is facing various challenges in the near future. The sector is not guaranteed to meet the demand of fruit vegetable crops in the next few years. Aside from improving yields, sustainable agricultural production of food is important to achieve food security. In this study, the combined effects of moringa leaf powder (MLP) and synthetic fertilizers, applied directly to the growing medium, on improving growth, yield and quality of sweet peppers was evaluated. The treatments were applied individually or in combinations to the 5 L pots and mixed with the growing medium. Our study indicated that treatments that included either 5 or 15 g of MLP significantly improved growth and yield of peppers. A combination of chemical-based fertilizer (3:1:3 and 5/15 g CaMgNO 3 ) did not seem to have a positive effect on growth, yield and nutritional quality of peppers. However, a combination of 3:1:3, 5 g CaMgNO 3 (lowest dose) and MLP was able to produce the best results on growth, yield, colour, as well as total carotenoids and vitamin C. More noticeably, all treatments that included MLP outperformed the chemical-based fertilizers when applied alone. Additionally, the treatments did not have a significant effect on soluble sugars. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that integration of MLP with 3:1:3 and CaMgNO 3 can serve as an effective and alternative approach to minimise the use of chemical-based fertilizers for sustainable production of peppers.