Effect of Mixed Treatment of Nitrogen Fertilizer and Zeolite on Soil Chemical Properties and Growth of Hot Pepper

Urea has been the most useful N-source, due to lower cost per unit of N. But nitrogen use efficiency of urea may be reduced because of losses from agricultural system by volatilization of ammonia to atmosphere. This study was conducted to evaluate the nitrogen efficiency and growth of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) by mixed treatment with nitrogen and zeolite. They were treated with N $161kg\;ha^{-1}$, N $230kg\;ha^{-1}$, nitrogenzeolite mixture (NZM) $161kg\;ha^{-1}$, NZM $230kg\;ha^{-1}$ and N $0kg\;ha^{-1}$, respectively. In the soil chemical properties after experiment, soil pH decreased but available $P_2O_5$, EC and total nitrogen increased in nitrogen-zeolite mixture treatment. $NO_3-N$ content in the soil showed the highest level in NZM $230kg\;ha^{-1}$. NZM $161kg\;ha^{-1}$ treatment increased growth and yield of hot pepper compared to urea alone. Nitrogen utilization efficiency of hot pepper plant was 47.15% at the treatment of NZM $161kg\;ha^{-1}$, while 36.74% at N $230kg\;ha^{-1}$. These results showed that application of mixture of nitrogen and zeolite had positive influence to improve the efficiency of nitrogen utilization and increase of red pepper yield.