Effect of different sources and levels of potassium on root characters of paprika (Capsicum annuum var. longam) cv. KtPl- 19 under drip fertigation system

Abstract

Paprika is one of the important natural colourants next to turmeric. Fertigation application through drip fertigation is known to play a vital role in enhancing the productivity and quality of many horticultural crops. In this view, studies on paprika (Capsicum annuum var. longam) were carried out at the College orchard, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, during 2006-2009 to find out the effect of different sources and levels of potassium with reference to root characters of paprika. From the study, it was observed that the crop paprika responded well to the fertigation treatments. The experiment was conducted for two seasons viz., season I (June, 2007-Jan., 2008) and season II (July, 2008-Feb., 2009) to get the concurrent result. Drip fertigation with water soluble fertilizer at 100 per cent RDF using MAP, Multi-K and SOP (T7) recorded the highest root dry weight, root length and root volume. It was followed by the treatment T6 and T4 during both season I and season II.