The pepper was harvested, but its “chemical legacy” remained in the soil!
Biologist Elena Zvereva explains in the Green World podcast: pepper roots secrete capsaicinoids, compounds that inhibit the growth of nightshade crops.
For example, eggplants planted after peppers lag behind in development by 3-4 weeks.
Turkish farmer Mehmet Ali shared his experience in an interview with Gardeners' World :
"After peppers, I planted potatoes - the tubers grew to the size of peas. The lab found traces of capsaicin in them!"
1. Sow oats or rye - they absorb toxins.
2. Add vermicompost to the soil – it neutralizes alkaloids.
An experiment by the Rodale Institute has proven that a garden bed can be restored after peppers in 2 years if it is sown with clover and alfalfa.