Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and fruit yield parameters in Chilli (Capsicum annum L.)

Introduction

Vegetables are parts of plants that are consumed by humans or other animals as food. The original meaning is still commonly used and is applied to plants collectively to refer to all edible plant matter, including the flowers, fruits, stems, leaves, roots, and seeds. Chilli (Vernacular name: Mirchi), botanically known as (Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the wellknown plants belonging to Solanaceae. It is a diploid cross-pollinated dicot plant species with chromosome number 2n = 2x = 24 (Manishbhai, B. N. 2019) [8] . Capsicum plants originated in modern day bolivia and have been a part of human diets since about 7,500 BC (Da Veiga Jr et. al. 2022) [1] India is the second largest fruit and vegetable producer in the world, producing about 82.85 million tons of fruits and 166.18 million tons of vegetables in 2020, accounting for almost 14.0% of the world's vegetable production.%. He was one of the top 5 producers in the world, producing over 80% of agricultural products and with almost 25% of the production going to waste. (Kalpeshbhai, P. N. 2021) [5] . Lycopene, which is soluble in water, is responsible for the red colour of red chili peppers. Chili peppers offer numerous valuable benefits for the human body, including antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, protection against liver damage, and potential for preventing cancer (Nemzer, et al, 2023) [10] . Chili peppers are abundant across the country, with Germany and France being the primary cultivators, followed by other European nations in smaller quantities. According to FAOSTAT (2020), global production of red chili peppers in 2016-2017 reached 61.51 tons per hectare. Chili peppers are extensively cultivated in India, particularly in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal, and Himachal Pradesh. Capsaicin is the primary compound responsible for the spiciness of chili peppers. When capsaicin meets the receptors on our taste buds and sensory neurons, it triggers a sensation of heat and pain. This compound activates the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channel, which plays a key role in our perception of heat and pain (Szallasi and Blumberg, 2007) [16] .

Materials and Methods

The investigation entitled "Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth and Fruit Yield Parameters in Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)" was conducted during the Kharif season of 2024-25 at the Instructional Farm, Khudmudi, College of Horticulture & Research Station, Sankra, Patan, Durg (C.G.), India. The experimental site is located in the central part of the Chhattisgarh Plains, lying between 20°54′ to 21°32′ North latitude and 81°10′ to 81°36′ East longitude, at an altitude of 317 meters above mean sea level. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with ten treatments and three replications. The Chilli variety Pusa Jwala (Capsicum annuum L.) was used for the study. The treatments comprised different combinations of inorganic fertilizers (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium) and organic manures, namely Farmyard Manure (FYM), Vermicompost, and Poultry Manure. Growth and yield parameters were recorded at different stages of crop growth. The growth parameters included plant height (cm) at 30, 50, and 60 days after transplanting (DAT), number of branches per plant at 30, 50, and 60 days after transplanting (DAT), and days taken to first flowering. number of flowers per plant, number of fruits per plant and number of fruit set per plant and yield parameter included days to first harvesting, average fruit weight (g), fruit yield per plant (g/plant), fruit yield per plot (kg/plot), fruit yield per hectare (q/ha), cost of cultivation (Rs./ha), gross return (Rs./ha), net return (Rs/ha) and cost: benefit ratio. [2] ,

Number of branches per plant

The [2] , Ranjitha et al., (2018) [13] , Nchang et al., (2018) [9] , Gokul et al., (2020) [3] , Gokul et al., (2020) [7] .

Days taken to first flowering

The results related to days to first flowering varied significantly among Effect of integrated nutrient management and is presented in table 1. The minimum days to first flowering at harvest (34.80 days) was observed with treatment T2 (75% RDF + 25% FYM) followed by T3 (50% RDF + 50% FYM) with 35.20 days. Maximum days to first flowering at harvest (48.50 days) was observed in T0 Control. A similar trend was also reported by Deepika et al., (2010) [2] , Singh et al., (2010) [15] , Shabir et al., (2017) [14]

Number of Flower per Plants

The results related to days to first flowering varied significantly among Effect of integrated nutrient management and is presented in [2] , Singh et al., (2010) [15] , Shabir et al., (2017) [14] .

Number of fruits per plant

The results related to number of fruits per plant varied significantly among different treatments and is presented in table 1. The maximum number of fruits per plant of fruit at harvest (50.8 fruits) was observed with treatment T2 (75% RDF + 25% FYM) followed by T3 (50% RDF + 50% FYM) with 44.2 fruits. Minimum number of fruits per plant of fruit at harvest (31.5 fruits) was observed in T0 Control. The present results corroborate the findings of Deepika et al., (2010) [2] , Singh et al., (2010) [15] , Shabir et al., (2017) [14] .

Number of fruit set per plant

The results related to number of fruit set per plant varied significantly among different treatments and is presented in [2] , Ranjitha et al., (2018) [13] Nchang et al., (2018) [9] Prradhiepan et al., (2018) [12] , Gokul et al., (2020) [3] , Kumari et al., 2020 [7] , Khatik et al., (2025) [6] Prasad et al., (2025) [11] .

B) Yield Parameter 1. Days to first harvesting (DAT)

The results related to days to first harvest varied significantly among different treatments and is shown that presented in table 2. The minimum days to first harvest of fruit at harvest (66.80 days) was observed with treatment T2 (75% RDF + 25% FYM) followed by T3 (50% RDF + 50% FYM) with 67.80 days. Maximum days to first harvest of fruit at harvest (80.50 days) were observed in T0 Control. These findings are in agreement with the results obtained by Deepika et al., (2010) [2] , Singh et (2010) [15] , Shabir et al., (2017) [14] 2 [2] , Shabir et al., (2017) [14] , Ranjitha et al., (2018) [13] 3 [2] , Shabir et al., (2017) [14] , Ranjitha et al., (2018) [13] , Nchang et al., (2018) [9] , Prradhiepan et al., (2018) [12] and Gokul et al., (2020) [3] . [7] , Khatik et al., (2025) [6] Prasad et al., (2025) [11] .

Fruit

5. Fruit Yield per hectare (q/ha) Yield of Chilli fruit per hectare under different treatment combination is shown that presented in Table 2. The fruit yield per hectare of fruit significantly varied among different treatment combinations at harvest. The maximum fruit yield per hectare of fruit at harvest (31.8 q/ha) was observed with treatment T2 (75% RDF + 25% FYM) followed by T3 (50% RDF + 50% FYM) with 25.8 q/ha. Minimum fruit yield per hectare of fruit at harvest (12.4 q/ha) was observed in T0 Control. These results are supported by the work of Deepika et al., (2010) [2] , Shabir et al., (2017) [14] , Ranjitha et al., (2018) [13] , Nchang et al., (2018) [9] Prradhiepan et al., (2018) [12] and Gokul et al., (2020) [3] .

C. Economics of Different Treatments

Economics of all treatments were calculated according to the expenditure occurred from then nursery raising till harvesting of fruits viz. Cost of cultivation, gross return, net return, and benefit: cost ratio has been worked out and presented in table 3. 1. Maximum gross returns were recorded in treatment T2 (75% RDF + 25% Farmyard Manure) with (₹ 190800 ha -1 ) and the minimum (₹ 74400 ha -1 ) was recorded in treatment T0 Control. 2. Maximum net returns were recorded in treatment T2 (75% RDF + 25% Farmyard Manure) with (₹ 123000 ha -1 ) and the minimum (₹ 3900 ha -1 ) was recorded in treatment T0 Control. 3. Maximum benefit: cost ratio was recorded in T2 (75% RDF + 25% Farmyard Manure) with 2.81 and the minimum 1.08 was recorded in treatment T0 Control (No bio-stimulant application).

Maximum gross returns, net returns, and benefit: cost ratio was observed in the treatment T2 (75% RDF + 25% Farmyard Manure) and recorded the best treatment among all the other treatments. As the economics is the need of the farmers while taking decision regarding the adoption of the techniques and scientific knowledge hence, T2 (75% RDF + 25% Farmyard Manure) gave the highest gross return, net return, and cost benefit is due to higher productivity and higher quality of fruits, which increase the market value of the fruits. These findings are in agreement with the results obtained by Deepika et al., (2010) [2] , Shabir et al., (2017) [14] , Ranjitha et al., (2018) [13] Nchang et al., (2018) [9] Prradhiepan et al.,

(2018) [12] Gokul et al., (2020) [3] , Gokul et al., (2020) [7] , Khatik et al., (2025) [6] , Prasad et al., (2025) [11] .

Conclusion

The current study found that the use of integrated nutrient management had a significant positive impact on the growth, and development of Chilli. Among the treatments tested, T2 showed the most favorable results in term of plant height, number of branches, and early flowering and maturing. T2 also demonstrated superior performance in terms of fruit weight, number of fruits per plant, and yield per plant. Additionally, T2 had the highest benefit cost ratio of 2.81. T2 was composed of 75% RDF + 25% Farmyard Manure.

References

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