Synergy of Nanobubble Drip-Fertigation and Soil Bio-Ameliorant - Sustainable Chili Quality and Yield Improvement

Aug 25, 2026

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Nanobubble drip-fertigation (NDF) integrated with bio-ameliorant (BA) is presented as an innovative approach to restore soil health, raise nutrient availability, and improve chili growth, yield, and fruit quality at efficient cost for small farmers. The study evaluates synergistic effects in a simple plastic-house setup using a strip-plot design across nutrient delivery methods and soil amendments with three replications. Oxygenated drip fertigation with 6.5 mg L⁻¹ dissolved oxygen combined with BA significantly increases soil nutrient availability and microbial activity, improves grading (79.33% Grade A), and elevates fruit number and weight. Correlation, principal component, and path analyses link biochemical soil parameters to yield components and identify fruit number as the primary yield determinant.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages16

Reading Time40 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Background: Nanobubble drip-fertigation

Role of soil amendments

Journal of Ecological Engineering Journal of Ecological Engineering, 2026, 27(3), 327–342 [https://doi.org/10.12911/22998993/213436](https://doi.org/10.12911/22998993/213436) ISSN 2299–8993, License CC-BY 4.0 Received: 2025.10.12 Accepted: 2025.11.21 Published: 2026.02.01 Synergy of nanobubble drip-fertigation and soil bio-amelioranton soil biochemical properties, growth, yield, and chili cash-crop quality in soil media Nicky Oktav Fauziah 1,2*, Moh Haris Imron S Jaya 1, Alfira Zahra3, Limbong Agatha Dita3, Betty Natalie Fitriatin4, Hanif Fakhrurroja5, Tien Turmuktini6, Tualar Simarmata4 1 Doctoral Program of Agricultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Padjadjaran, Raya Bandung Sumedang Str. 21, Sumedang, 45363, Indonesia 2 Department of Seed Technology, Politeknik Pembangunan Pertanian Yogyakarta-Magelang, Kusumanegara Str. 2, Yogyakarta, 55167, Indonesia 3 Master Program of Agricultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Padjadjaran, Raya Bandung Sumedang Str. 21, Sumedang Regency, West Java 45363, Indonesia 4 Department of Agricultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Padjadjaran, Raya Bandung Sumedang Str. 21, Sumedang, West Java 45363, Indonesia 5 Research Center for Smart Mechatronics, National Research and Innovation Agency, Sangkuriang Str., Bandung, 40135, Indonesia 6 Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Winaya Mukti, Bandung-Sumedang Str. 29, Sumedang, 45362, Indonesia * Corresponding author’[s e-mail: nicky14002@mail.unpad.ac.id](s e-mail: nicky14002@mail.unpad.ac.id) ABSTRACT Nanobubble drip-fertigation (NDF) integrated with bio-ameliorant (BA), as an innovative and appropriate technology, sustainably restores soil health, enhances nutrient availability, and improves yield and quality of chili as a high-value cash crop at an efficient cost for small farmers. This study aimed to comprehensively assess the synergistic effects of nanobubble fertigation technology and bio-ameliorant on the growth, yield, quality, as well as grading of the chili cultivated in soil media within a simple plastic house structure. The experiment was setup as a strip plot consisted of nutrient delivery methods (conventional fertilizer (CF) = NPK 300 kg ha-1, dripfertigation (DP) = 1600 ppm, and NDF = oxygenated DF with 6.5 mg L-1 dissolve oxygen (DO) and soil amendments (conventional soil amendment (CS) = cow manure 20 t ha-1, BA = bio-ameliorant 4 t ha-1, A = ameliorant 4 t ha-1) and provided three replications. Results revealed that oxygenated DF, combined with 6.5 mg L⁻¹ DO and BA, significantly enhanced soil nutrient availability and microbial activity. This treatment notably improved chili fruit quality, achieving a 79.33% Grade A rating, as well as increased fruit number and weight. Correlation and Principal Component analyses confirmed strong relationships between soil biochemical parameters and yield components, while path analysis identified fruit number as the primary determinant of total yield. The findings offer a sustainable and efficient alternative to conventional fertilization, providing practical insights for smallholder farmers aiming to optimize chili productivity and quality through integrated soil and nutrient management strategies. Keywords: plastic house, nutrient solution, nutrient use efficiency, ameliorant, drip irrigation, soil amendment. INTRODUCTION Nanobubble drip-fertigation and soil bioameliorant, as innovative and appropriate technologies, are increasingly adopted by smallholder farmers in Indonesia to enhance chili crop productivity and quality. Chili, a key high-value horticultural cash crop, holds significant economic importance in Asia, particularly in Indonesia, where keywords such as innovation, sustainability, productivity, and quality are gaining growing attention. The approach is achieved through the use of soil media, which is relatively inexpensive and easily accessible, contains millions of organisms, as well as regul

FAQs

What is the core objective of this study on chili cultivation?

To assess the synergistic effects of nanobubble drip-fertigation and soil bio-ameliorant on chili growth, yield, quality, and grading in soil media.

Which treatment combination produced the best results?

Oxygenated drip fertigation with 6.5 mg L⁻¹ dissolved oxygen combined with bio-ameliorant significantly enhanced nutrient availability, microbial activity, and chili fruit quality.

How do the analyses explain yield formation in this work?

Correlation and principal component analyses show strong links between soil biochemical parameters and yield components, while path analysis indicates fruit number is the primary determinant of total yield.

Aug 25, 2026

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