Effects of slow-release fertilizers on yield and quality of pepper Capsicum annuum L.)

A two-year field trial was conducted to evaluate the agronomic effects of two types non-coated slow-release nutrient bulk blend fertilizers on pepper(Capsicum annuum L.).Compared to basal application of conventional bulk blend fertilizers when applied at the same rates of N,P and K,basal application of non-coated slow-release nutrient fertilizer(No.2) increased the pepper yields from 13.7% to 24.6%,fresh fruit weight from 8.0% to 12.4%,and ascorbic acids from 7.7% to 8.4%.However,no differences were observed in dry biomass of fruit weight and water soluble sugars among the fertilizers.The results of this study indicate that non-coated slow-release nutrient bulk blend fertilizers were similar to or better than the conventional bulk blend fertilizers in increasing fruit yields and improving fruit quality of pepper,with the slow-release nutrient fertilizer(No.2) being the most effective among the fertilizers evaluated,suggesting that it may have potential as a commercial fertilizer.