Enhancing Hot Pepper Agronomic Performance Under Rainfed Conditions Through Organo-Mineral Fertilization in Senegal

Capsicum (Capsicum spp.), commonly known as pepper, is highly sensitive to climate change. It is an important vegetable and spice crop cultivated worldwide for its di-verse uses, including fresh consumption. In Senegal, it plays a crucial role in both household nutrition and income generation. This study aimed to enhance hot pepper agronomic performance through adaptable, high-yielding technologies in the Tambacounda and Sedhiou regions of eastern and southern Senegal. Five treatments were tested: Absolute Control (T1), Farmer Practice (T2), Microdose fertilizer (T3), Micro-dose + Compost (T4), and Microdose + Compost + Mulching (T5). Trials were conduct-ed in 2025 at the Tambacounda Agriculture Research Center (CRAT) and Ziguinchor Agriculture Research Center, Djibelor, under both rainfed and supplemental irrigation systems, using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results revealed significant treatment and site differences. At CRAT, T5 (Microdose + Compost + Mulching) achieved the highest yield of 31.6 t/ha, while the lowest was 10.1 t/ha. In Djibelor, overall yields were lower, not exceeding 2 t/ha across treatments. The findings demonstrate that integrated fertilization with compost and mulching substantially improves hot pepper productivity, with outcomes strongly dependent on site-specific ecological conditions. Promoting this practice as a bundled package in Tambacounda and similar agroecological zones could enhance yields and strengthen smallholder farmers’ socio-economic resilience amid changing weather.