Effect of Transplanting Age on the Yield of Pepper in Kano State

This study examines the effect of seedling age at transplanting on the establishment, growth, and fruit yield of pepper in Kano State, North West Nigeria. Pepper is an economically important spice crop in northern Nigeria, and transplanting from nursery seedlings is the standard establishment method that allows field management flexibility. However, seedling age at transplanting affects root system development, transplanting shock severity, and subsequent canopy establishment rate. Optimal transplanting age varies with variety, climate, and soil conditions and has not been locally determined for Kano State pepper production. This study establishes a randomised complete block design experiment at Bayero University Kano horticultural research plots, testing four seedling ages at transplanting: 3, 4, 5, and 6 weeks from nursery sowing using Tattase red pepper variety. Transplant survival rate, days to first fruit, fruit number per plant, average fruit weight, and total marketable yield are assessed over two growing seasons. Findings reveal that 4-week seedlings produce the highest survival rate of 98 percent and the highest fruit yield of 13.8 tonnes per hectare, outperforming both younger seedlings that show higher transplanting shock, and older seedlings whose pot-bound roots reduce establishment success. Days to first fruiting are shortest in 4-week transplants. The study concludes that 4-week seedling age at transplanting is optimal for pepper in Kano State conditions. It recommends this standard as the basis for pepper production extension guidance in the state.

Keywords: pepper transplanting, seedling age, fruit yield, Kano State, transplant establishment.