Growth and Yield Responses of Chili (Capsicum frutescens L.) to Paclobutrazol Concentrations and P-Fertilizer Doses during the Rainy Season

Abstract

Field experiment conducted from November 2021 to April 2022 on farmers' fields in Sukamulia, East Lombok, Indonesia, aimed to determine the growth and yield response of chili (Capsicum frutescens L.) to treatment with Paclobutrazol concentrations and phosphorus fertilizer doses during the rainy season. The factorial experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with three blocks and two treatment factors, namely Paclobutrazol concentrations (0, 50, 100 and 150 ppm) and phosphorus fertilizer doses (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg/ha P2O5). Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's HSD at 5% significance level. The results showed that Paclobutrazol concentration significantly decreased growth rates of plant height and the doses of P fertilizer increased the number of productive branches per plant. However, the interaction between the treatment factors had a significant effect on flower initiation and fruit weight per plant, with the highest chili fruit yield, i.e. 549.5 g/plant, was obtained on chili plants receiving treatment combination of 150 ppm Paclobutrazol concentration and P-fertilizer dose of 90 kg/ha P2O5. This treatment combination also resulted in the earliest flower initiation (at 42.2 days after planting).