Germination and Seedling Growth Responses of Pepper Cultivar (Capsicum Annuum) to Different Oasian Compost Extract Concentrations

This study was carried out to evaluate the seed germination and seedling growth of Tunisian local pepper cultivar as affected by different organic fertilizer treatments. Four compost extract concentrations were used (25%, 50%, 75% and 100%). The results showed that organic fertilizer at given concentrations have no significantly influence (at P≤0.05) on seed germination parameters such as germination percentage, relative seed germination, mean germination time and the coefficient of velocity. However compared with the untreated control, a significant effect on seedling growth was detected as the radicle and plumule lengths were enhanced by compost extract application and which reflected on higher index of germination and seedling vigor. Among the different treatments, 25% concentration was the more effective on the studied seedling traits. It was concluded from this study, that the seedling stage of pepper was more sensitive than the seed germination phase to the application of compost extracts, and the higher fertilizer effect was recorded at the lowest concentration.