Asian Journal of Biological Sciences1996-3351xxxx-xxxxScience International10.3923/ajbs.2020.187.193Capsicum annum L.) Production]]>IwuagwuMary Oluchi UkaomaAdanma Augustina OsuagwuUgochi Kate 22020132Background and Objective: Sawdust is infrequently used as a mulch material because of its undesirable effects on crops like yield reduction. Combined use of sawdust mulch and inorganic fertilizer may help to overcome this problem. This study evaluated the growth and yield responses of pepper to sawdust mulch and NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer rates (0, 150, 300 and 450 kg ha1) applied sole and in combination with sawdust. Materials and Methods: About 3 weeks old pepper seedlings were transplanted into poly pots containing 10 kg of soil. The NPK fertilizer was applied to the potted plants 14 days after transplanting (DAT) while sawdust mulch was placed around the seedlings at 28 DAT in layers of 5 cm thickness. The experiment was laid in completely randomized design with 6 replications. Data collected were analyzed using ANOVA at 5% probability level. Results: Combined use of sawdust mulch and NPK fertilizer increased significantly growth and yield of pepper compared to when either the mulch or the fertilizer was applied sole. Increasing the fertilizer above 300 kg ha1 in both sole and in combination with mulch caused significant decrease in yield. Pepper yields were 21.4, 37.8, 44.4-70.1, 80.9-111.0 g/plant in the control, mulched, NPK and mulched plus NPK, respectively. Conclusion: The results obtained in this study showed that maximum pepper production can be achieved by combined use of sawdust mulch plus 300 kg ha1 NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer.]]>Poulos, J.M.,19931993pp: 85-134pp: 85-134Olaniyi, J.O. and A.E. Ojetayo,2010Capsicum frutescence).]]>810701076Department of Agriculture/ARC-Institute of Tropical and Sub-Tropical Crops,20012001Bosland, P.W. and E.J. Votava,2000Pages: 204Pages: 204Anonymous,20062006Iqbal, Q., M. Amjad, M.R. Asi, M.A. Ali and R. Ahmad,200946113118Clark, L.J., W.R. Whalley and P.B. Barraclough,200325593104Bhutia, T.L., S.H. Singh and K.S. Reddy,2017Abelmoschus esculentus).]]>23826832Islam, M.J., A.K.M.M. Hossain, F. Khanam, U.K. Majumder, M.M. Rahman and M. Saifur Rahman,2007698101Tan, Y.C., J.S. Lai, K.R. Adhikari, S.M. Shakya, A.K. Shukla and K.R. Sharma,2009232541Godawatte, V.N.A., C.C. de Silva and M.D.M. Gunawardhana,2011Capsicum annuum L.) to cope with global temperature stress due to climate change.]]>2011pp: 95102Islam, K.S., M.H.A. Miah and S.U. Ahmed,2010213946Yang, W.Q., B.L. Goulart, K. Demchak and Y. Li,2002127742748Akonye, L.A. and B. Mwauzoma,20032003pp: 147-155pp: 147-155Sonsteby, A., A. Nes and F. Mage,200454128134Suge, J.K., M.E. Omunyin and E.N. Omami,2011Solanum melongena L).]]>3470479Tolasa, M. and B. Eshetu,2014Capsicum annum).]]>9284293Singh, R., R.R. Sharma and R.K. Goyal,2007Fragaria × ananassa Duch.).]]>111344351Trdan, S., D. Znidarcic, M. Kac and M. Vidrih,2008Thrips tabaci Lindeman).]]>54309318Yang, Y.H., J.W. Zong, P. Huang, G.Q. Zhao and Y.H. Liang,2015Lilium davidii var. unicolor) and bulb yield responses to potassium fertiliser and plastic film mulching.]]>90115120Sinkeviciene, A., D. Jodaugiene, R. Pupaliene and M. Urboniene,20097485491Uwituze, C., H. Rukangantambara and J.J. Lelei,2017Brassica oleracea var. capitata) growth and yield in the highlands of Rwanda.]]>17115Kanneh, S.M., P.D. Musa, M.K. Osei, D.D. Quee, R. Akromah and M. Lahai,2017Capsicum annuum L.) in Ogoo farm, Western area, Sierra Leone.]]>12123127Toungos, M.D.,2017capsicum annum) in mubi, Nigeria.]]>71312013124Dubey, A.K., D. Singh, P.S. Rajput, Y. Kumar, A.K. Verma and S.K. Chandraker,2017Capsicum annum L.) c.v. swarna under shade net condition.]]>610851091Hegde, D.M.,1986Capsicum annuum L.) in relation to soil moisture and nitrogen fertilization.]]>146475