Emergence and seedling growth of pepper as influenced by soil compaction,nutrient status and moisture regime

Studies on the influence of seed-bed condition on the emergence and development of pepper seedlings (Capsicum frutescens L.) revealed that seed-bed compaction delayed and reduced seedling emergence. High nutrient and organic matter content accentuated the severity of soil compaction, regardless of whether the soil moisture was low or high. Influence of compaction was less on “dry” poor soil. Best seedling emergence was obtained from “moist” crumbly “rich” soil. However, “moist” crumbly “poor” soil, moist compacted poor soil, “dry” crumbly rich soil and “dry” crumbly poor soil also gave very high seedling emergence. The dry compacted rich soil gave the poorest cumulative emergence figures. High soil moisture regime and high nutrient content reduced the severity of soil compaction on seedling root and shoot development. Soil compaction also caused abnormal hypocotyl morphology in seedlings that germinated but failed to emerge.