Utilization of Wood Ash as Soil Amendment and Fertilizer on Some Growth and Physiological Indices of Capsicum Annum (Pepper)

Sustainable utilization of wastes such as wood ash generated by small scale industries is an innovative method of waste management. This study elucidated effects of varying levels (250 mL WALF + 750 Water, 500 mL WALF + 500 mL Water, 750 mL WALF+ 250 mL Water, 1000mL WALF) of inclusion of wood ash liquid fertilizer (WALF) on cultivation of C. annum (pepper). Distilled water served as control. Agronomical and physiological parameters of the pepper were determined. Height (18.82 cm), number of leaf (16.60), leaf breadth (3.58 cm), and stem girth (0.90 cm) of the pepper treated with combination 500 mL WALF + 500 mL Water were significantly higher compared with other combinations of the WALF. Similar observation was noticed in chlorophyll (13.6 µmol m-2) contents determined in the leaves of the pepper treated with the same combination. Higher net assimilation rate (0.80 gm-2day-1), relative growth rate (0.78 mgg-1day-1), leaf area ratio (0.08 m2 kg-1), leaf area (83.56 cm) and specific leaf area (142.56m2 .kg-1) were observed in the leaves of the pepper treated with 500 mL WALF + 500 mL Water. In conclusion the 500 mL WALF + 500 mL Water enhanced better the agronomic and physiological parameters of the vegetable, therefore, the combination is recommended for sustainable cultivation of pepper.