Effect of Inorganic Fertilizers on the Growth Performance on Cayenne Pepper ( Capsicum Frutescens)

This study aim to identify the effects of inorganic fertilizers (NPK and Urea) on the growth performance of Cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutescens). The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three treatments (NPK, Urea, and Control) and five replicates. Plant growth parameters (height, number of leaves, branches, and fruits) were measured and recorded every two weeks. The results showed that NPK fertilizer significantly increased fruit yield (7.20 ± 0.0) compared to Urea (4.80 ± 0.0) and Control (3.60 ± 0.0) treatments. Although NPK-treated plants tended to be taller (27.66 ± 11.3 cm) and have more leaves (32.07 ± 21.4), these differences were not statistically significant. The number of branches remained consistent across treatments, with an average of 10.88 ± 3.1 branches per plant for NPK, 10.24 ± 2.8 branches per plant for Urea, and 9.98 ± 3.0 branches per plant for Control. The study concludes that NPK fertilizer at a rate of 7.8g per plant, applied every two weeks after transplanting and at the fruiting stage, is optimal for Cayenne pepper production. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for farmers and agricultural practitioners seeking to improve Cayenne pepper yields. The results also highlight the importance of fertilizer application in promoting plant growth and productivity.