Investigating the influence of Eggshells on the Growth and Yield performance of Green Pepper (Capsicum Annum)

Green pepper (Capsicum annum) is one of the most important vegetables that are consumed worldwide after tomatoes and onions. It is among the most grown crops throughout Africa because of its utilization in soup stews and salads. Therefore, this study aims at investigating the influence of eggshell on the growth and yield performance of green pepper. The experiment was conducted in Lusaka district for three months under the following objectives; (i) to evaluate the growth of green pepper plants treated with eggshell fertilizer under smallholder farming system in Lusaka, (ii) to determine the effect of eggshell soil amendment on soil pH in a green pepper field under smallholder management in Lusaka and compare the results between plots treated with eggshell amendments and those left untreated, (iii) to compare the yield of green pepper plants grown with eggshell soil supplementation to those grown without the eggshell amendments in Lusaka district. The experimental field layout was arranged in a Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications and two treatments; T1 untreated control, T2 treated eggshells amendment respectively. Statistical package for social science (SPSS) was used to test Growth and yield parameters. One-way Anova was used to statistically analyze data. The result shows that in week six and twelve plant height, leaf count, leaf size, stem diameter and weight were not statistically not significant meaning the p value was (p≤0.05). In week eight and ten it was discovered that leaf count and stem diameter week eight were statistically significant respectively with 0.019, (p≤0.05), 0.007, (p≤0.01) and leaf count week ten was statistically significant with 0.049, (p≤0.05). The pH value increased from 6.5 to 7 meaning that the soil become less acidic and slightly more alkaline. The result revealed that the application of eggshell powder to green pepper can improve plant growth.