The influence of cow manure on antioxidant activities of hot pepper (capsicum annuum L.)

Abstract

The effects of applications of organic fertilizer "cow manure" on antioxidant activities of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) evaluated under field conditions. Treatments consisted of four levels of cow manure (0, 5, 10, and 15 t ha-1) for both the 2017 and 2018 growing seasons. The results indicated that antioxidant activities, total flavonoid, carbohydrate, and carotenoids contents influenced by cow manure. However, total phenolic and capsaicin content were not affected significantly by cow manure treatment applications. Cow manure applied to at 15 t ha-1 resulted in the highest antioxidant activities (86.86 and 60.40%) and carbohydrate contents (204.50 and 91.00 mg g-1), while the lowest values recorded in the control treatment in 2017 and 2018 (respectively). The highest and lowest the total flavonoid obtained in 10 t ha-1 of cow manure (401.70 and 410.13 mg 100 g-1) and control treatment (313.73 and 333.83 mg 100 g-1), respectively in both years. The lycopene contents were 47 and 60% higher in 5 t ha-1 of cow dung fertilizer than control treatments in both seasons. The minimum β –Carotene recorded in control, and the maximum observed in 5 t ha-1 of cow manure fertilizer (412.50 and 962.43 mg kg-1) in both years. The results confirm that the use of cow manure has a positive effect on the antioxidant activity of hot pepper under field conditions.