The sandy loam and sandy clay loam textures of the surface layer (0-15 cm) of soils in the experimental sites are typical of Alfisols whose parent materials had developed from coarse-grained granitic rocks (Ogunkunle, 2009). The soils were slightly acid (pH= 5.9-6.0) and so suitable for pepper production but the soil fertility elements, especially organic matter and total N contents, were low when compared with soil testing criteria established for soils in south-western Nigeria (FMANR, 1990). Therefore, the pepper crop is expected to benefit from N fertilizer application as the adequate supply would correct N deficiency and result in rapid vegetative growth, deep green colour and higher fruit yield. Brady and Weil (2002) noted that the influences of N nutrition on vegetative growth, quality and yield of most vegetables are well known and the deficiency results in dark pale green, yellowish green colouration extending to necrosis on older leaves and general poor development of leaf. In this study, the lower number of leaves and poor leaf area observed in the 0 kg N.ha-1 treatment emphasized the need for additional N in order to improve the nutrition of the pepper crop.