Effect of various organic nutrient schedules on growth and nutrient uptake of chilli (Capsicum annuum)

Abstract

The experiment was conducted at Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during July-November of 2012. The treatments consisted of three levels of FYM - F1 (20 t ha-1), F2 (15 t ha-1) and F3 (10 t ha-1) and three levels of substitution of the recommended dose of nitrogen. The levels of substitution are N1 (100 % recommended dose of N- 75 kg ha-1), N2 (75 % recommended dose of N -56.25 kg ha-1) and N3 (50 % recommended dose of N - 37.5 kg ha-1). Three controls were, C1 -Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) POP recommendation (FYM @ 25 t ha-1 along with 75:40:25 kg N:P2O5:K20 ha-1 as inorganic fertilizer), C2 –KAU Adhoc organic POP recommendation (FYM @ 25 t ha-1 + Poultry manure at 5 t ha-1 + Pseudomonas + Trichoderma and PGPR mix 1, each @ 2.5 kg ha-1) and C3-Farmers practice – (Cow dung slurry @ 20 t ha-1). FYM @ 20 t ha-1 recorded significantly higher plant height, number of branches and LAI. The maximum value for all growth parameters were observed at 100% level of N substitution. Combined application of FYM @ 20 t ha-1 along with 100% substitution of recommended dose of N (75 kg ha-1) in organic form registered maximum plant height, branches, LAI, and root spread.