Occurrence of aphids (Aphis gossypii Glover) on sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum Linn.) applied with vermicompost

Abstract

The extensive use of inorganic fertilizers in agriculture brought negative impacts not only on the environment but also on the consuming public. Vermicompost as an organic fertilizer has been emerging with promising effects in the soil, plants, and environment. The paper examines the effects of varying varieties (emperor, smooth cayenne) and levels of vermicompost (100, 150, and 200 bags/ha) on the prevalence of aphids, growth, and yield performance of sweet pepper in the field. The different varieties of sweet pepper have no effect on the population of aphids and its yield. However, with the application of vermicompost, sweet peppers grown in plots applied with vermicompost at 200 bags/ha showed the most number of aphids at the vegetative stage, however, it turned out to have the least population during the fruiting stage. At flowering until the fruiting stages, the aphids permanently existed in plots applied with inorganic fertilizers. Significant results in plants’ height increase, early flowering/harvesting period, and yield was observed in plots applied with vermicompost at 200 bags/ha. The higher amount (200 bags/ha) of vermicompost have contributed to the significant impact on aphid and sweet pepper response.