Is Tea Waste A Promising Co-substrate for Optimizing The Cultivation, Growth, and Yield of Charleston Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)?

Abstract

This study investigated the viability of tea waste as a sustainable alternative substrate for cultivating Charleston peppers (Capsicum annuum), aiming to optimise growth, yield, and reduce soil dependence, cost, and agro-industrial waste. Six substrates were compared: 1) Tea waste, 2) Tea waste + Manure, 3) Tea waste + Soil, 4) Manure + Soil, 5) Tea waste + Manure + Soil, and 6) Tea waste + Manure + Soil + Perlite. Multivariate and univariate analyses of variance were used to analyse the data and assess significant differences. Significant differences in stem diameter were observed among plants grown on different substrates (one-way MANOVA p < 0.05). However, the plant height and chlorophyll content of the cultivated Charleston peppers remained unaffected. Although considerable variation was observed in leaf structure across treatments, the dry matter content did not differ significantly. These results suggest that tea waste, particularly when combined with other components, presents a viable alternative substrate for Charleston pepper cultivation. This study provides valuable insights into the potential of utilising agro-industrial waste for eco-friendly agricultural practises.