MSc

The experiment entitled “Standardisation of fertigation schedule and
spacing for bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.var.grossum sendt.) in polyhouse”
was conducted in the farmer’s field in Parassala block, Thiruvananthapuram,
Kerala. The main objectives of the experiment were to standardize fertigation
schedule and spacing for bell pepper grown in polyhouse and to work out the
economics.
The study was laid out in split plot design with 12 treatment combinations
replicated three times. The main plot treatments consisted of four levels of
fertigation viz., 100 % adhoc recommendation of KAU for precision farming (F1),
50 % adhoc recommendation of KAU for precision farming (F2), 50 % adhoc
recommendation of KAU for precision farming + foliar spray of combined
solution of urea and potassium chloride each at 1.25 % at 30 and 60 DAT (F3) and
25 % adhoc recommendation of KAU for precision farming + foliar spray of
combined solution of urea and potassium chloride each at 1.25 % at 30 and 60
DAT (F4). The 100 % adhoc recommendation of KAU for precision farming is
230:25:250 N, P2O5 and K2O kg ha-1. The subplot treatments consisted of three
spacings viz., 45 cm x 30 cm (S1), 45 cm x 45 cm (S2) and 45 cm x 60 cm (S3).
The results revealed that the growth and yield attributes were significantly
influenced by levels of fertigation. Among the fertigation levels, 100 % adhoc
recommendation of KAU for precision farming (F1) recorded taller plants at all
growth stages except at 30 DAT. At 50 % flowering and at final harvest,
maximum number of branches plant-1 was produced by F1 and at final harvest the
number of branches plant-1 was comparable with F3. Treatment F1 registered
plants of maximum leaf area index at 50 % flowering (4.42) and at final harvest
(6.63). Similarly, F1 recorded the highest number of fruits plant-1(15.15), fruit
girth (26.24 cm), fruit yield plant-1 (1.72 kg), fruit yield m-2 (8.30 kg) and higher
ascorbic acid content (122.15 mg 100 g-1).
Growth, yield and quality attributes were significantly influenced by
spacing. Closer spacing of 45 cm x 30 cm (S1) produced taller plants. Wider
spacing of 45 cm x 60 cm (S3) produced more number of branches plant-1 at 50 %
flowering (4.44) and at final harvest (7.25). Leaf area index was higher at 50 %
flowering (3.57) and at final harvest (5.36) for S3 (45 cm x 60 cm). The same
treatment S3 produced the highest number of fruits plant-1 (13.75), fruit girth
(25.23 cm) and fruit yield plant-1 (1.53 kg) while fruit yield m-2 (8.92 kg) was the
highest for S1 (45 cm x 30 cm). Wider spacing of 45 cm x 60 cm (S3) produced
fruits with higher ascorbic acid content (111.75 mg 100 g-1) and more shelf life
(8.79 days).
The treatment F1 (100 % adhoc recommendation of KAU for precision
farming) recorded significantly higher uptake of N (245.21 kg ha-1), and K
(105.44 kg ha-1) which were on par with F3 (50 % adhoc recommendation of
KAU for precision farming + foliar spray at 30 and 60 DAT) while P uptake
(26.11 kg ha-1) was higher for F1.
The soil analysis before the field experiment revealed that the soil was
acidic (5.5) in reaction, high in organic carbon content (1.4 %), low in available
nitrogen (225.79 kg ha-1) and potassium (94.68 kg ha-1) and high in available
phosphorus (336.78 kg ha-1) After the experiment available N and P were
significantly influenced by fertigation levels. The highest value for available N
was registered by F1 (266.03 kg ha-1) which was on par with F2 (257.66 kg ha-1).
The available P was highest for F1 (340.75 kg ha-1) which was comparable with F3
(339.08 kg ha-1)
Economic analysis revealed that net returns (₹ 1,88,956 10 cents-1) and B:
C (3.30) ratio was the highest for f1s1 (100 % adhoc recommendation of KAU for
precision farming with closer spacing of 45cm x 30 cm).