Abstract:
The research was conducted to investigate the effects of High Yield Technology (HYT)
biofertilizers, biochar and inorganic fertilizer on the growth and yield of pepper. The studies
were conducted at the University of Ghana Forest and Horticultural Crops Research Centre
(FOHCREC), Kade from May 2011 to April 2012. The experiment consisted of three factors
namely, HYT, Biochar and inorganic fertilizer at three levels each (HYT: 100%, 50% and 0%);
Biochar: 7t/ha, 3.5t/ha and 0t/ha; inorganic fertilizer: 100%, 50% and 0% of recommended rate).
There were twenty seven treatments with three replications arranged in a randomized complete
block design (RCBD). Data were collected on plant height, plant diameter and leaf number, fruit
number per plant and yield (t/ha) as well as soil chemical and microbial properties. Analysis of
variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the data. The results indicated that application of HYT
biofertilizers and biochar significantly affected plant height, stem girth, number of leaves and
fruit yield and plant nutrients. The results revealed that 3.5t/ha to 7t/ha biochar + 50-100% HYT
biofertilizer combination increased the yield of hot pepper. Microbial count before and after
planting also showed significant increased with the application of biofertilizers.
