2.5 Soil sampling and analysis
Nine representative soil samples before planting were randomly collected at 0–20, 20–40 and 40–60 cm each depth in a diagonal walk from the experimental field using an auger to have three composite samples. The soil sample was air dried on plastic trays, ground and sieved to pass through 2 mm sieve. Since 90% of pepper root was concentrated at the top 40 cm of soil. Soil Laboratory test was done at Hawassa University, Wendogenet Forestry College. The soil samples were analyzed for physical (texture, bulk density, FC, PWP) and chemical properties (pH, OM, EC and CEC) following standard test procedures. The soil texture was analyzed using Bouyoucos hydrometer method. The textural class of soil was determined using USDA textural triangle [The soil pH was determined by taking saturated extract methods using a pH meter. The organic carbon (%) was determined following the wet digestion method as described by Black [