Effects of organic materials on the growth of pepper and amelioration of reservoir sediment

To enhance agricultural utilization of reservoir sediments, pot experiment was conducted in a net-room to analyze the effects of organic materials on the growth of pepper and the chemical properties of reservoir sediments. From the results, application of market organic fertilizer, mushroom residue, chicken manure and peanut bran increases pepper yield, nitrogen and potassium uptake, and fruit soluble sugar and vitamin C content. The highest pepper yield is obtained in the mushroom residue treatment. A significant increase in organic matter, total nitrogen, available nitrogen in reservoir sediment is observed under the application of all of four or-ganic materials. Differences in available phosphorus, available potassium, total phosphorus and total potassium contents of reservoir sediment are induced by the application of different organic materials. While sediment pH significantly increases with the application of mushroom residue and chicken manure, there exists no difference in pH between the control and market organic fertilizer as well as peanut bran treatments. The highest exchangeable calcium and magnesium and CEC are noted under the mushroom residue treatment. Integrated fertility index (IFI) of reservoir sediment increases with the application of different organic materials. The mushroom residue treatment has the highest IFI among the four organic materials treatments. For optimal pepper yield, quality, nutrient uptake, and reservoir sediment chemical property and fertility, mushroom residue treatment is suggested.