Influence of INM on productivity and soil fertility in bell pepper under sub temperate zone of western Himalayas

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out at the Experimental farm of the Department of Vegetable Science, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni Solan, HP (India) to evolve integrated plant nutrient supply system for higher productivity of sweet pepper on sustainable basis. The experiment was laid out in RBD with 03 replicates comprising 15 integrated combinations of inorganic and organics including Bio-fertilizers/PGPR. Integrated use of fertilizers, organic manures and PGPR significantly influenced yield and plant growth attributes of sweet pepper. The conjoint use of 75 % recommended dose of NP + Vermicompost and Enriched compost @ 2.5 t/ha + PGPR (T14) resulted in significantly maximum fruit weight (50.37 g), fruit yield/plot (23.57 kg/ha) and fruit yield/ha (371.01 q/ha). This treatment recorded 60.89 per cent increase in yield over recommended practice (T1). From present investigation, it can be concluded that above integrated combination of chemical fertilizers, organic manures (VC and EC) and PGPR resulted in saving of 25 % chemical fertilizers (NP), higher yield, and enhanced soil health.