Utilizing agricultural waste materials as planting medium for enhancing the vegetative growth, yield and postharvest attributes of sweet peppers (Capsicum annuum) under tunnel conditions

The study investigated the potential of composted pineapple agro-waste from Rhodes Food Group (RFG) Eswatini, dry maize stover, and cattle manure as alternative planting medium for sweet peppers under tunnel conditions.Growth parameters (plant height, leaf number, width, and area), yield (fruit number, size, diameter, and length), and postharvest qualities (fresh weight, TSS, fruit firmness, and decay incidence) were assessed.The trial was set up in a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) with five treatments and four replicates.Significant differences between treatment means were determined using Duncan's New Multiple Range Test (DNMRT) at the level of P 0.05.The planting medium containing 60% pineapple agro-waste, 30% cattle manure, and 10% topsoil (T1) and the one with 60% maize stover, 30% cattle manure, and 10% topsoil (T4) produced significantly higher vegetative growth and fruit yield compared to other treatments.Notably, fruit grown in a medium of 70% pineapple agro-waste and 30% topsoil exhibited superior yield parameters, including fruit weight (118.99g),diameter (67.23 mm), and length (71.15 mm).While most post-harvest parameters showed no significant differences, the Brix percentage improved with T1.The study demonstrated that pineapple agro-waste holds potential as an effective alternative planting medium under tunnel conditions.