The main sources of nutrients mentioned in this text are compound fertilizers supplied by chemicals such as ammonium sulphate (sulphate of ammonia) and potassium sulphate (sulphate of potash).
There is an increasing demand for organically grown food crops in some of the world markets. These markets have strict specifications for the regimes and conditions that organic crops are grown and produced under. This can require the use of organically produced seed, plant nutrition from only organic fertilizers and natural methods of pest and disease control (usually referred to as 'biological control'). Therefore as organic market outlets develop and the export of hot peppers to those outlets is considered, it is essential that the quality standards of those markets are sought and understood.
If mistakes are made it will jeopardise future exports and perhaps spoil the market for a large number of growers for some time to come.
There is also a general trend to take more action to protect
the environment by reducing pollution and avoiding a build up of chemical
residues in water supplies and soil. This in turn is moving farmers towards
minimising the use of toxic or harmful materials. Farmers are well aware of the
high cost of crop protection chemicals and the labour requirements for their
application, many farmers are generally keen to try and adopt biological methods
of pest and disease control or at least integrate them with more traditional
methods. 
