ENHANCING SUSTAINABLE FOOD SECURITY: HARNESSING CAPSICUM RHIZOBIOME DIVERSITY THROUGH ORGANIC MULCHING TO COMBAT DISEASE AND HUNGER.
This study investigates the impact of organic mulching on rhizospheric microbial diversity, soil fertility, and productivity of Capsicum annuum at the University of Delta, Agbor Research Farm. Using a Completely Randomized Block Design across six plots, three pepper varieties including the elite Nsukka aromatic yellow pepper were evaluated under different organic mulch treatments: green grass, dry leaves, poultry manure, piggery manure, black soldier fly frass, and a control (no mulch). A total of 1,500 pepper stands were planted with 500 replacements at 1m × 0.8m spacing. Rhizospheric soil samples collected at pre-planting, vegetative, flowering, and post-harvest stages underwent 16S rRNA gene sequencing to characterize microbial communities. Preliminary results indicate enhanced microbial diversity in organically mulched plots, particularly with poultry and piggery manure treatments. Soil physicochemical properties showed significant improvements in organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content. Pepper yields increased by 20-40% in mulched plots compared to controls, with reduced pest and disease incidence. This sustainable, cost-effective approach demonstrates potential for enhancing food security, improving smallholder farmer livelihoods, and promoting environmental sustainability in tropical agricultural systems.
Keywords: Capsicum rhizobiome, organic mulching, food security, sustainable agriculture, soil microbial diversity, pepper yield improvement, eco-friendly farming
