Effect of Different Combination of Manures and Fertilizers on Growth and Yield of Chilli (capsicum frutescence L.)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different manures and fertilizers on the growth, yield and economic performance of local chilli variety ‘Chandrapuri’. Plant height increased rapidly during the early and middle stages of growth and reached its maximum at 105 DAT. Significant variation was observed among the treatments, with 50% vermicompost + 50% recommended fertilizer dose performing best. The application of manures and fertilizers significantly influenced the number of leaves and branches per plant, with the highest number of branches recorded in T₇ (50% Trichoderma compost + 50% recommended fertilizer). Days to anthesis and 50% flowering were also affected by the treatments, with T₆ (50% vermicompost + 50% recommended fertilizer) showing earlier flowering. The number of total fruits per plant was highest in T₆ (182.53). Maximum fruit length (5.91 cm) and breadth (1.06 cm) were recorded in T₉ and T₆, respectively. Single fruit weight was highest in T₆ (1.90 g), followed by T₇ (1.78 g). The highest fruit yield per plant and per plot was obtained from T₆ (336.6 g and 5.38 kg), followed by T₇ (305.3 g and 4.94 kg). The highest fruit yield (13.46 t ha⁻¹) was obtained from T₆, followed by T₇ (12.34 t ha⁻¹). Manure and fertilizer application also significantly affected shoot and root fresh and dry weights. Economic analysis revealed that T₆ produced the highest gross return, net return and benefit-cost ratio (BCR). Overall, 50% vermicompost + 50% recommended fertilizer dose was found to be the most effective treatment for improving growth, yield and economic performance of chilli.