Influence of growth stimulants on quality parameters of bird’s eye chilli (Capsicum frutescens L.)

Abstract

Bird’s eye chilli (Capsicum frutescens L.) is considered as one of the emerging spice crop, having various health benefits and very high demand in national and international markets. So, as no much work on systemic cultivation of the crop is done the present investigation was planned to study the response of the crop to different growth stimulants. An investigation was conducted at College of Horticulture, Mudigere during the year 2023 to study the effect of plant growth stimulants on quality parameters of bird’s eye chilli. The statistical design adopted is Randomized Complete Block Design with thirteen treatments. Among the different treatments, foliar application of Humic acid @ 0.50% recorded significantly maximum chlorophyll-a (1.54 mg/g fr. wt.), chlorophyll-b (0.69 mg/g. fr. wt.), total chlorophyll (2.23 mg/g fr. wt.), ascorbic acid content (119.60 mg/100 g), oleoresin content (8.83%) and capsaicin content (1.89%). While foliar application of NAA @ 50 ppm recorded significantly maximum capsanthin content (17.29 g/kg). The results revealed that foliar application of humic acid @ 0.50 per cent at 60, 90 and 120 DAT would help in improving quality parameters of bird’s eye chilli.