International Journal of Horticulture, 2017, Vol.7, No. 29, 262-274
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are populace acceptance/social adaption, cultural management practices such as management of the planting
time/date (Carl, 2009) which is one of the important factors for proper growth and development, soil properties,
and influence of climatic condition in the zone. The climatic condition is characterized by high temperature
throughout the year and, heavy torrential rainfall (Met Data 2014, NASA Data 2016). Present status of scientific
knowledge aligned with monitoring the effects of climate change and weather variability, season of sowing in
particular, planting dates, appropriate crop and soil management practices (spacing, mulching, fertility and tillage
system) and use of appropriate harvesting, handling and processing are the research efforts to provide some
management options and technologies for farmers.
Research reports also show that high and sustained crop yield could be achieved with a balanced use of organic
and inorganic fertilizers. Nutrients from mineral fertilizers enhance the establishment of crops, while those from
mineralization of organic manure promote yield when both fertilizers are combined. Pepper production can also
be increased by exploring the use of suitable land management such as date of planting, amount of rainfall, day
and night air temperature trends and sunshine duration, tillage system etc. In the production of green pepper,
planting date is a major problem faced by farmers in their production. The use of planting date in pepper
production is very important because it the period to determine when the crop will be produced at the maximum
potentials and when the crop will command higher economic value, reduces competition between plants and
weeds among others. When appropriate planting date is got in plant production, it increases crop growth and yield.
Competition for water and nutrients in time of planting might be responsible for the decrease in plant growth and
yield, (Knavel, 2008). Monitoring planting date also prevents the spread of pests and diseases from one plant to
another (Celac, 2001). According to Moniruzzama (2007), effect of planting dates on the growth and development
of Green pepper increases fruit yield and support its availability for a longer period within the year.
Suitable plant date can lead to optimum yield and on the other hand incorrect planting dates could result in
relatively low yield and poor quality fruits. Specifically, the Southwestern farmers could take advantage of the
possibility to grow the sweet pepper twice a year to generate additional income and therefore increase their overall
annual farm income. The potentials of sweet pepper as a cash generating crop is significant for farmers especially
those residing near the urban areas because of its importance in both local and international dishes. For an
increase in production and a continuous availability year round, the relationship between soil, crop and the
weather can be integrated. Thus this study is to examine the influence of fertilizer application and selection of
planting date for year-round production of green pepper in agro-ecosystem of Owo area of Ondo State, South
West Nigeria.
2 Materials and Methods
2.1 Field description
A Field experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Owo, Lat.
9°12°N, long 5°35°E within the derived savanna transition zone of South west, Nigeria. This area is subjected to
marked wet and dry seasons with a bimodal rainfall pattern, with two rainfall peaks (July and September) that
make two growing seasons possible. There is heavy rainfall in May-June-July, which is interrupted by a dry
period of about two weeks in August, this is followed by another period of heavy rainfall from September to
October. Dry season length is between 120 -130 days, mean of annual rainfall is between 2.0 to 2.5 m, annual
temperature range is between 28 to 34
°
C, relative humidity is never below 70% (MET, FUTA, 2014).
2.2 Soil description
The soil belongs to an order Alfisol, (USDA system, ) and can be classified as OxicTropuldulf or Luvisol soil
with argillic or textural B horizon and have high base status of greater 50% by NA4OAC extraction (FAO
classification), It is of the Okemesi Association, (Symth and Mongomery, 1962) derived from rocks composed
essentially of quartz. (Gneisses and schist), which are resistance to weathering. Profile colour are typically pale
grayish brown to brown and a textural classification of the site is sandy loam. (USID Staff survey) The soil is
generally low in organic matter, total nitrogen, and available phosphorus (Agbede and Ojeniyi, 2009).
