Vegetative Growth Response of Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) to Different Concentrations of Pineapple Peel Liquid Organic Fertilizer

Abstract

Pineapple peel has potential as a raw material for liquid organic fertilizer (LOF), providing an alternative strategy for organic-waste management while supporting plant nutrition. This study evaluated the vegetative growth response of cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) to different concentrations of pineapple peel LOF. An experimental study with a descriptive quantitative approach employed a one-factor completely randomized design comprising four treatments: P0 (0 mL L⁻¹), P1 (10 mL L⁻¹), P2 (20 mL L⁻¹), and P3 (30 mL L⁻¹). Each treatment was replicated five times, resulting in 20 experimental units. Each plant received 200 mL of treatment solution every four days. Plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, and leaf width were measured every three days until 65 days after planting. The data were analyzed descriptively using treatment means. P3 showed the highest mean values for plant height (6.886 cm), stem diameter (2.724 mm), number of leaves (6.536), and leaf width (2.948 cm). The lowest mean plant height was recorded in P2 (5.950 cm), while P1 produced the lowest stem diameter (2.462 mm), number of leaves (5.326), and leaf width (2.684 cm). The response was not linear because P1 and P2 produced lower means than the control for several parameters. Within the tested concentration range, 30 mL L⁻¹ showed the most favorable descriptive tendency for supporting the vegetative growth of cayenne pepper. However, statistical significance cannot be inferred because no inferential analysis was conducted.