Effect of poly house on plant microclimate and yield of chilli(Capsicum annuumL.)

Abstract

A field trial to study the performance of three chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) varieties, viz. Vellayani Athulya, Jwalamukhi and Anugraha and the effect of fertigation on its productivity under protected cultivation was conducted in a poly house along with an open field at Vellayani (Kerala), India during March 2013 to September 2013. During the period of field trial, light intensity and air temperature were lower inside the poly house compared to open field condition, whereas the relative humidity was higher inside the poly house compared to open field. The above microclimatic variability favoured the yield of crop inside poly house. The plants grown under poly house situation recorded significantly higher fruit length, number of fruits plant−1, fruit yield plant−1 and total fruit yield. Plants grown with fertigation registered higher number of fruits plant−1, fruit length, fruit yield plant−1 and total fruit yield. Maximum fruit length, fruit yield plant:1 and total fruit yield were obtained from variety ‘Vellayani Athulya’ while, highest number of fruits plant−1 was obtained from ‘Anugraha’.