Biomass, chlorophyll and nitrogen content of leaves of two chili pepper varieties (Capsicum annum) in different fertilization treatments

Abstract

Abstract. Suharja, Sutarno. 2009. Biomass, chlorophyll and nitrogen content of leaves of two chili pepper varieties (Capsicum annum) in different fertilization treatments. Nusantara Bioscience 1: 9-16. This study aims to determine the influence of various fertilization treatments on biomass, chlorophyll, and nitrogen content of leaves from two varieties of chili, Sakti (large chili) and Fantastic (curly chili). The study was conducted in the village of Gatak, Karangnongko sub-district, Klaten District, Central Java, from September 2006 to March 2007. The study used a complete block design with two factorials, chili varieties, and fertilizer treatment. Fertilization treatments includes no fertilizer (control) (P1); manure 2 kg/plant (P2), manure (1 kg/plant) + chemical fertilizer (ZA, SP-36, KCl = 2: 1: 1) + NPK (P3); and manure (1 kg/plant) + chemical fertilizer (SP-36: KCl = 1:1) + liquid organic fertilizer (P4). According to Harborne (1987), chlorophyll content was measured, whereas leaf nitrogen concentration was measured with the Kjeldahl method. Data were analyzed using ANOVA followed by DMRT. The results showed that the Fantastic chili fertilizer treatment affected the biomass and chlorophyll-a but did not affect chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and leaf nitrogen. On the curly chili, fertilizer treatment affected fresh plant weight, chlorophyll a, and total chlorophyll but did not affect dry weight, fresh fruit weight, chlorophyll b, and leaf nitrogen. It is, therefore, recommended to use the formulation of manure + chemical fertilizer (SP-36: KCl = 1: 1) + liquid organic fertilizer in the cultivation of chili.