Effects of Foliar Nutrition and varieties on Physicochemical, Nutritional and Shelf-life qualities of Sweet Pepper (Capsicum annuum l.) fruits in Ghana

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the effects of foliar nutrition and varieties on physicochemical, nutritional, and shelf-life qualities of sweet pepper in the Coastal Savanna agro-ecological zone. A 2 × 3 factorial arrangement in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications was used for the field experiment, whereas for the laboratory studies, the experimental design was a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. The first factor was varieties at two levels (Yolo Wonder and Sinbad F1). The second factor was fertilizer types were at three levels (Golden Soluble foliar fertilizer, Codafol Liquid foliar fertilizer, and soil-applied NPK + SOA as control). The foliar fertilisers were applied at three phenological stages (vegetative, flowering, and fruit development) whereas the soil-applied fertilizers (control) were applied at two phenological stages (vegetative and flowering). The heaviest fruit pulp weight was obtained from the Codafol Liquid x Sinbad F1 combination. The Codafol Liquid resulted in higher ash and crude fibre contents of the fruits. The foliar fertilizers also enhanced the nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron, and zinc contents of the fruits better than the granular fertilizers. Sinbad F1x Golden Soluble treatment prolonged the shelf-life of the fruits better than the other treatment combinations. In conclusion, the application of the foliar fertilizers enhanced the physiochemical and nutritional qualities of the sweet pepper fruits. Furthermore, the hybrid variety (Sinbad F1) responded better to the foliar nutrition than the open-pollinated variety (Yolo Wonder) leading to enhanced physiochemical and nutritional quality characteristics of the fruits of the hybrid variety.