Developing an Economically Viable Nutrient Management Package that Sustains Growth, Yield and Quality of Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during 2021 to develop an economically viable nutrient management package for chilli that sustains growth, yield and quality of the produce at the same time. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with six treatments and five replications. The treatments consisted of organic, inorganic and combined nutrient management practices. The results revealed that the state recommended practices (Farm yard manure @ 25 t ha-1 + Azophos @ 2 kg ha-1 + recommended dose fertilizers (RDF)) registered the highest plant height (71.7), number of branches per plant (24.7), leaf area (22.5 cm2), number of fruits per plant (79.4) and yield per hectare (16589 kg). However, interms of economics the organic nutrient management practices performed well with 50 % N requirement through organic manures (50 % FYM + 50 % Vermicompost) + seedling treatment with Beejamrit + Ghanajeevamrit @ 250 kg ha-1, Jeevamrit @ 500 litres ha-1 time-1 twice a month with irrigation water fetching higher benefit cost ratio (2.40). The quality parameters like total soluble solids (TSS) and ascorbic acid content were also higher (5.84 °brix and 127.46 mg 100 g-1 respectively) under 50 % N requirement through organic manures (50 % FYM + 50 % Vermicompost) + seedling treatment with Beejamrit + Ghanajeevamrit @ 250 kg ha-1, Jeevamrit @ 500 litres ha-1 time-1 twice a month with irrigation water applied plots compared to other nutrient management practices. It can be concluded that the application of state recommended management practices had a positive effect on growth and yield. However for getting economically sustainable and quality chilli, the organic package – 50 % N requirement through organic manures (50 % FYM + 50 % Vermicompost) + seedling treatment with Beejamrit + application of Ghanajeevamrit @ 250 kg ha-1, Jeevamrit @ 500 litres ha-1 time-1 twice a month with irrigation water can be suggested.