Assessing the Impact of Selected Soil and Climatic Variabilities on Yellow Bell Pepper Growth for Enhanced Food Security in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Food insecurity and declining agricultural productivity remain major challenges in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, particularly in Bayelsa State, where soil heterogeneity, flooding, salinity, and fluctuating climatic conditions adversely affect crop performance. This study assessed the impact of soil and climatic variabilities on the growth of yellow bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) with a view to enhancing sustainable food security in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Key soil physicochemical properties, including soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and salinity, alongside climatic parameters such as temperatures, were evaluated using a replicated screen-house experimental design. Major growth indicators, including plant height and stem girth, were monitored and statistically analyzed. The findings revealed that variations in soil physicochemical properties influenced the growth of yellow bell pepper. Rising soil temperatures exerted adverse effects on crop growth. This study further demonstrated that optimized soil management and climate-smart agricultural practices could substantially improve yellow bell pepper productivity in the region. The research highlights the importance of integrated soil–climate assessments in crop production planning and recommends bioresource-based adaptive technologies as sustainable mitigation strategies for improving crop resilience, rural livelihoods, and food security under changing climatic conditions. The findings provide information for sustainable vegetable cultivation in coastal agro-ecosystems and support policy development, agricultural extension services and climate adaptation programmes aimed at improving productivity and sustainability in the Delta region