Effect of Compost Application on Soil Fertility and Yield of Sweet Pepper (Capsicum annuum) in Enugu State

Soil fertility decline is a growing threat to vegetable production in the intensively farmed smallholder systems of South East Nigeria. Compost application offers a sustainable and affordable soil amendment strategy that improves soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. This study examines the effect of varying rates of compost (0, 5, 10, and 15 tonnes per hectare) on soil organic matter, available nitrogen, and the yield of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum) in Agbani, Enugu State. A field trial was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications per treatment during the main cropping season. Soil samples were collected before and after the experiment for laboratory analysis. Vegetative and yield parameters recorded include plant height, number of fruits per plant, fruit weight, and total fruit yield. Analysis of variance and correlation analysis were applied to the dataset. Results indicate that 10 tonnes per hectare of compost significantly increased soil organic carbon and available nitrogen while improving fruit yield by approximately 42 percent over the control. Higher compost rates did not produce proportionally greater yields, suggesting an agronomic optimum. The study recommends 10 tonnes per hectare of compost as the optimal application rate for sweet pepper production in Enugu State. Keywords: compost, soil fertility, sweet pepper, Capsicum annuum, Enugu State