Effect of nitrogen substitution and biorational sprays on the quality, oleoresin content and yield of the bydagi chilli

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted during 2009 and 2010 to study the effect of nitrogen (N) substitution, biorationals and plant extract sprays on quality, oleoresin content and yield of bydagi chilli. Recommended fertilizer (RDF @ 100:50:50 kg NPK ha-1 ) and 50:50:50 kg ha-1 NPK through fertilizers and remaining 50 % N substitution equally through 2.5 t ha-1 Vermicompost and 500 kg ha-1 neem cake as main treatment and seven biorationals, silica, recommended plant protection chemical (RPP) and absolute control formed subplot treatments. Significantly higher dry pod yield was recorded with integrated N supply (795 kg ha-1) compared to RDF. Among the biorational sprays, alternate sprays of Abamectin (3 sprays) and Perfect (2 sprays) produced higher yield by nearly 44 per cent over chilli grown with RPP sprays (two sprays of Dimethoate @1.7 ml l-1 + 2 sprays of Dicofal @ 2.5 ml l-1 + Carbaryl @ 4g l-1). The quality parameters such as oleoresin content (%), oleoresin yield, Ascorbic acid content, Capsaicin content, Scovielle heat unit and Percent discoloured fruits followed the same trend as pod yield.