Comparing The Chemical Composition and Effects on The Growth of Chili Plants Using Chicken and Bat Guano Fertilizers

• Main Authors: Siti Syamim Nurfatihah, Abd Rahman, Mohamad Fhaizal, Mohamad Bukhori
• Format: Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: GE Environmental Sciences; Q Science (General); QD Chemistry; QK Botany; QL Zoology; QP Physiology; S Agriculture (General)
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/44960/1/COMPARING%20THE%20CHEMICAL.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/44960/; https://sites.google.com/view/icmr2023/home
• Institution: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

Fertilizers are an essential component of plant growth, particularly for agriculture. However, the use of chemical or synthetic fertilizers has led to multiple drawbacks for crops. With concerns about sustainable global consumption, climate change, and food inadequacy, it is time to shift to a more sustainable and organic farming approach. Organic farming is currently at the pinnacle of sustainable agriculture. The study analyzed two types of fertilizers - chicken dung fertilizer (CDF) and bat guano (BG). CDF is a manure extracted from chicken litter, while BG is the excretion of bats. Both have been used as fertilizers for decades and have proven to be effective in improving soil fertility and crop productivity. The Chilli plant, Capsicum annum L. (variation Kulai), is a valuable crop with numerous health benefits, especially as it is rich in vitamin C, pro-vitamin A, and other essential nutrients. It is crucial to explore alternative organic fertilizers such as CDF and BG which can positively impact the growth and yield of chilli plants. Fertilizers were analyzed for dry matter, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The fertilizers were then used to treat chilli plants for five months, with measurements taken monthly. After the cycle, the plants were harvested, and their measurements were analyzed using SPSS Version 36 software. Between the two organic fertilizers, it was found that CDF had higher levels of dry matter and organic matter, while BG had higher levels of nitrogen and phosphorus. CDF also had higher levels of potassium, which improves fruit and vegetable quality. Plant growth performance analysis showed that CDF was a better choice than BG, with higher plant height and faster and higher fruit production. The study concludes that chilli plants treated with chicken dung fertilizer showed better growth and fruit production compared to those treated with bat guano.