Sonam Tashi - College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan, Lobesa, Punakha, Bhutan
Kesang Wangchuk - International Center for Integrated Mountain Development, Kathmandu, Nepal
Erica Udas - International Center for Integrated Mountain Development, Kathmandu, Nepal
Sonam Gaki - College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan, Lobesa, Punakha, Bhutan
Kamal Aryal - International Center for Integrated Mountain Development, Kathmandu, Nepal

Purpose Two field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of locally prepared biofertilizers (Jholmal ۱ and Jholmal ۲) on soil properties and chili yield (Capsicum annuum L.).Method The experimental site was in west-central Bhutan. The experiments were Randomized Complete Block Designs (RCBD) consisting of three treatments (cattle dung/ urine: Jholmal ۱, cattle urine: Jholmal ۲, and Control), and each treatment was replicated four times. The individual plot size of each treatment was ۱ m × ۳ m in total the experiment occupied a total area of ۳۶ m۲. The effects of biofertilizers on soil properties and chili yield were compared before and after application.Results Overall soil pH was within the suitable range (pH ۶-۷) for chili cultivation, although soil pH declined significantly in Jhomal ۲ and control treatments. The soil C:N ratio increased significantly in all plots after application. Plots receiving Jholmal ۲ showed the highest increase in the C:N ratio (۲.۳۰%; p<۰.۰۱) after the application.  Available soil P increased after the application and was recorded highest (۲۱.۰۲ mg/kg; p<۰.۰۵) in plots amended with Jholmal ۱. Exchangeable K declined significantly in all treatments after the application and the decline was highest (۵۶.۰۰ mg/kg; p<۰.۰۵) in the plots amended with Jholmal ۱. The plots amended with Jholmal ۱ also gave the highest chili yield in both experiments (≈۱۳ t/ha in experiment I and ≈۱۵ t/ha in experiment II).Conclusion Jholmal ۱ has better effects on soil fertility and chili yield and could be a prospective organic biofertilizer to use in organic farms in Bhutan.

Cattle Dung, Cattle Urine, Chili Crop, Effective Microorganism, Organic farming