Combination of organic fertilizer from Catfish wastewater (Clarias gariepinus) with inorganic fertilizer for best growth of chili (Capsicum frutescens)

This study was designed to observe the effects of catfish wastewater as a fertilizer on the growth and yield of chilli pepper (Capsicum frutescens). The aim of our research is to find out the alternative to reduce the usage of inorganic fertilizers for chilli cultivation. In addition, it is also to investigate the potential of catfish wastewater as an organic fertilizer for chili pepper cultivation. Three treatments were used to evaluate the effect of fertilizers on chili pepper growth performance, and they were as follows: organic fertilizers (catfish wastewater) (T1), co-application of organic and inorganic fertilizers (T2), and inorganic fertilizer (T3). The data collected for growth and yield included the average (±) height (cm), Number of leaves, Leaf width (cm), Number of buds, Weight of fruits, Length of fruits and Number of fruits. Based on the results obtained from this experiment, T2 fertilizer, which applies a combination of organic (catfish wastewater) with inorganic fertilizer, shows higher growth, quality, and yield performance than control treatment using inorganic fertilizer only. However, the lowest growth, quality and yield showed the fertilizers from organic (catfish wastewater) only. Thus, organic (catfish wastewater) has good potential as an alternative fertilizer same as chicken dung and cow dung that can be used for crops.