RESUMO
The experiment was conducted to study the growth and development of pepper [Capsicum annum] grown on soil enriched with foliages from Leueaena Ieucocepha la, Ginelina arborea, Prosopis mimosa, Tectona grandis, Azadiracta indica and Damiella olverii. Top soil sample used for the experiment was collected from the University of Ilorin premises. Foliage from the selected tree species were collected, air dried and pulverized to a fine texture before mixing with soil. Dry pepper seeds were sown in the different soil mixture. The experiment was laid out as a Complete Randomized Design [CRD] with six treatments replicated thrice. Parameters evaluated include: Mean leaf area, Mean plant height and Mean leaf number. Samples of the air dried soil were taken before and after planting and used to determine total nitrogen, available phosphorus, organic matter content, potassium and soil pH. Results showed that the soil enriched with pruning from Azadiracta indica had the best performance in terms of the growth of pepper [Capsicum annum] as shown by the leaf area [2443.3 cm[2]], leaf number [55.0] and plant height [30.3cm] at 8 weeks after planting [SWAP], lire chemical composition of the soil also varied significantly among the treatments [P< 0.05] Prosopis mimosa had the best performance in terms of the pH amendment [6.6] and potassium content [2.8%] while Leucaena leucocephala had the best performance in term of nitrogen content [6.7%] and Organic matter content [5.4%]. Lastly, Daniella oliverii had the best performance in term of Phosphorus content [8.0]. In conclusion, pruning from Azcidiracta indica had the best performance in terms of the growth of Pepper