Effect of organic and inorganic nutrient sources on growth, yield and quality of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) grown under polyhouse condition

Abstract

The present investigation entitled “Effect of organic and inorganic nutrient sources on growth, yield and quality of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Grown under polyhouse condition” was conducted during 2015 at the polyhouse of Department of Agriculture, Mata Gujri College, Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab, India. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three replications. The treatments consisted of T1: RDF (100% NPK @125:75:30 kg ha-1), T2: 50% RDF + Azotobacter, T3: 75% RDF + Azotobacter, T4: 50% RDF + Vermicompost, T5: 75% RDF + Vermicompost, T6: 50% RDF + Azotobacter + Vermicompost, T7: 75% RDF + Azotobacter + Vermicompost. Application of different levels of fertilizers in combination with organic manures and biofertilizers significantly increased the growth, yield and quality of capsicum. The maximum plant height, plant spread, days to 50 % flowering, days to first picking, harvest duration, average fruit weight, fruit length, fruit diameter, number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per plant, fruit yield and fruit firmness were recorded with the combined application of 75 % NPK + Azotobacter + vermicompost whereas, shelf life, ascorbic acid, TSS were recorded maximum with the conjoint application of 50 % NPK + Azotobacter + vermicompost. The treatment T7 (75% RDF + Azotobacter + Vermicompost) also produced the highest net returns along with maximum benefit: cost ratio.