Performance of organic inputs on the yield and pest incidence in Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

Introduction

Chilli (Capsicum annuum L., 2n=2x=24), is a major vegetable cum spice crop cultivated in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Capsicum is a term originated from a Greek word, 'Kapsino' which meaning 'to bite' (Basu and De, 2003) [1] . It is grown worldwide for its immature green and red ripe fruits. Fertilization is crucial for optimal development and output since it provides plants with needed nutrients. In chilli farming, the use of inorganic fertilizers has been observed to enhance yield per hectare (Islam et al., 2018) [2] . Continuous use of inorganic fertilizers can increase production costs, make soil toxic, and cause unmeasured environmental damages, as reported by workers and environmentalists. To address concerns about the usage of inorganic fertilizers, there has been a shift towards natural formulations that prioritize ecological health (Khandaker, 2017) [3] . To maintain a healthy ecosystem in a sustainable manner, there is a need to adopt an alternative agriculture system that is self-sufficient and sustainable, such organic farming (Behera et al., 2011) [4] . The naturally occurring compounds that provide nutrients to a developing plant are known as organic inputs. Panchagavya, vermiwash, kunapajala, jeevamruth, and biological waste are a few of the many organic inputs used. Panchagavya is also known to contain growth regulatory substances such as IAA, GA, and cytokinin. Panchagavya has played a significant role in providing resistance to pests and diseases, resulting in increased overall yields (Tharmaraj et al. 2011) [5] . Jeevamrut, an organic liquid made mixing cow urine, cow dung, pulse flour and jaggary (gur), it is prepared and allowed to ferment for a week. The use of jeevamrutha will boost microbial activity and population in the soil to a greater extent (Boraiah et al. 2017) [6] . According to Nene (1999) [7] , Kunapajala may also be made with plant-based ingredients rather than animal meat. Kunapajala may be divided into two categories: herbal and nonherbal. This herbal Kunapajala is also known as Shasyagavya is prepared by, mix cowdung, cow urine, organic residue, and water in a 1:1:1:2 ratio, then ferment the mixture. The weed based herbal kunapajala includes plant such neem (Azadirachta indica), wild jasmine (Clerodendrum sp.), beal (Aegle marmelos), datura (Datura sp.), lantana (Lantana camara), mango (Mangifera indica), guava (Psidium guajava); calotropis (Calotropis sp.), castor (Ricinus commumis) and billy goat weed (Ageratum conyzoides) along with the cow urine, cowdung for its preparation. This liquid formulation contains nutrients, growth hormones, enzymes, vitamins, and organic molecules that promote crop growth and development. It also provides natural resistance to diseases and pests. Vermiwash is the liquid extract collected after the passage of water through the different layers of worm culture unit. Amritpani is a bioenhancer contains beneficial microbes viz; nitrogen fixing, phosphorus solubilising and bio agents (Ram et al. 2018) [8] . Insect and non-insect pests that attack chillies at various phases of growth are among the most important. Severe infestations can produce apparent damage, including thrips bending leaves upwards and mites curling leaves downwards (Kandasamy et al., 1990 [9] ; Kethran et al. 2014) [10] . Aphids (Aphis gossypii Glover, Myzus persicae Sulzer) yellow mite (Polyphagotarsonemus latus Banks) and fruit borer (Helicoverpa armigera Hubner) are the most significant pests that damage chillies (Berke and Shieh, 2000) [11] . They are regarded as sucking pests. When a plant is severely infested, its leaves coil up and eventually wither. The plant dies, grows slowly, and gradually dries out. The loss caused by the thrips is reported to range from 50 to 90 per cent and fruit borers account to 90 per cent (Reddy and Reddy, 1999) [12] . The effect of different organic inputs was check in the pest incidence of chilli.

Materials and Methods

Site of study:

The present study was performed at Vegetable Research Farm of the Department of Vegetable Science, College of horticulture and Forestry, Central Agricultural University, Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh, during 2023 to 2024. Local genotype of Arunachal Pradesh (CHF CG-11) chilli is used for this experiment. The fruit is long and average weight of the fruit is 4-5 g. The treatment of organic inputs includes T 0: Control, T 1: Panchagavya @10%, T 2: Herbal kunapajala @10%, T 3: Vermiwash @10%, T 4: Jeevamrut @10%, T 5: Amritpani@10%, T 6: CAU Bioenhancer @ 2%. The row-to-row distance maintained is 60 cm 2 and plant to plant distance maintained is 30 cm 2. Application of liquid manure: Liquid manure was applied as foliar spray of panchagavya @10%, herbal kunjapajala @10%, vermiwash @10%, jeevamrut @10%, amritpani @10% and CAU bioenhancer @2% at 30 days interval started from transplanting. The application was done for four times with an interval of 15 days. The total number of fruits harvested at every picking was taken into consideration to work out as mean number of fruits per plant. For total yield of fruits, total weight of fruits from each tagged plant was recorded and their mean were calculated. It is expressed in gram he observations of aphids, whiteflies, thrips, mites and coccinellid beetles recorded before spraying as pre-count and at 3, 7 and 14 days after treatment and their mean are taken. The treatment was given at 15 days interval after one month of transplanting. Observations were recorded after 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th spray. The statistical analysis was carried out using MS-Excel. The effects of different treatments were tested for their significance by using the analysis of variance for randomized block design method. The significance and non-significance of the variance due to different treatments were determined by calculating the respective 'F' values as the method described by Gomez and Gomez (1984) [13] .

Results and Discussion

The height number if fruits was observed in T 4 (Jeevamrut) (55.66). T 1 (Panchagavya) (54.66) and T 6 (CAU bioenhancer) (51.33) treatments were statistically equivalent to T 4 (Jeevamrut) (55.66). The use of liquid organic inputs such as panchagavya, jeevamrut and increases the quantity of beneficial bacteria while also having a significant influence on soil enzymatic activity. It contains growth-promoting compounds that enhance the flowering, pollination, and fruit set processes. The bioactive substances in it, like as auxins and cytokinin, may also aid to increase fruit yield by increasing hormonal regulation and fruiting efficiency. These factors lead to development of a greater number of fruits chilli. Similar result was reported by Rathore et al. (2023) [14] in eggplant, Gopal et al. (2022) [15] in tomato, Jakhar et al. (2022) [16] in okra, Mandodi et al. (2022) [17] in okra and Panda et al. (2020) [18] in tomato. The most fruit was produced by treatment T 4 (Jeevamrut), yielding 157.07 g per plant. Treatments T 1 (Panchagavya) and T 4 (Jeevamrut) showed statistical similarities in terms of fruit output per plant (156.90g). Sreenivasa et al. (2010) [19] found a variety of helpful microorganisms in panchagavya and jeevamrut, including nitrogen fixers, phosphorus solubilizers, actinomycetes, and fungi. The application of organic inputs increased the plant's biological efficiency by improving its photosynthetic and metabolic activities. This allowed the roots to grow into the deeper soil layer, where they could absorb more nutrients and accumulate more carbohydrates, which in turn led to the production of more fruit yield per plant. Panda et al. (2020) [18] in tomato, Gopal et al. (2022) [15] in tomato, Nath et al. (2022) [20] in french bean, Parmar et al. (2024) [21] in African marigold also reported findings which showed similar results.

Pest infestation

The data for number of aphids per three leaves per plant, it was found that after continuous application, there was reduction in number of aphids. The treatment T 2 (Herbal kunapajala) observed the minimum population of aphid 8.45 of fourth spray.

The plant which was untreated with any inputs showed maximum population of aphid 10.16 of first sprayed. The azadirachtin component of neem is regarded the chemical of highest biological relevance, accounting for more than 90% of the neem's pest-control effects. (Elteraifi et al. 2011) [22] . This active chemical substance repelled, hinder eating, and inhibits their development and reproduction of insect. This leads to reduction in the aphid population of plant treated with herbal kunapajala. Tobing et al (2023) [23] also observed reduction in severity of attack of red chilli aphid on chilli. Table 2.

The data for number of whiteflies per three leaves per plant. The application of organic inputs was check for number of whiteflies in chilli plant. T 2 (Herbal kunapajala) was determined to be the most effective input, with a population of 3.02 of fourth application. The highest number of whiteflies was seen following the fourth spray of T 0 -Control (4.38). The plants treated with T 2 (Herbal kunapajala) showed minimum incidence of whiteflies. The Herbal kunapajala is an organic input which consist of insecticidal properties. The composition used here include neem leaves. Each element of the neem tree had pesticidal capabilities. It contained Azadirachtin and about 25 other similar chemicals. Neem contained myristic, palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, arachidic, and other lower fatty acids.

Azadirachtin is an active component present in it. Azadirachtin inhibited feeding in a variety of insect pests. It disrupted the molting process of insects, lowering Ecdysone hormone levels and prevents larvae from developing into adults. This led to reduction in number of whiteflies in treated with herbal kunapajala. Shah et al. (2021) [24] and Nzanza et al. (2012) [25] also showed that whitefly populations decreased after being treated with neem extracts. Table 3.

The data for number of thrips per three leaves per plant, T 2 (Herbal Kunapajala) had the fewest thrips per three leaves per plant (3.02), followed by T 1 (Panchagavya) with 3.20 at the fourth spray. At the fourth spray, T 0 -Control had the most thrips (4.3). It was found that after 4th spray there was reduction in population of thrips. It may be related to the presence of Azadirachtin, an active chemical found in neem. Neem does not kill pests directly, but instead limits their eating and reproduction, leading to a decrease in pest populations. It interferes with the molting process of insects, reducing Ecdysone production and inhibiting larvae from growing into adults. Shah et al. (2021) [24] observed the reduction of pest infestation by thrips using neem leaf extract. Table 4.

The data for number of mites per three leaves per plant, the infestation of mites was check after the application of organic inputs. T 2 (Herbal Kunapajala) had the lowest incidence of mite, at 2.91, followed by 3.15 in T 4 (Jeevamrut) of the fourth spray. Azadirachtin works as a natural anti feedant and insect development inhibitor. Antifeedants influence feeding, mating, and post-embryonic development via altering mating and fertility. Thus, application of herbal kunapajala led to decrease in the population of whiteflies. Hossain et al. (2013) [26] found that mite populations were reduced when treated with neem leaf extracts. Table 5.

The data for the infestation of fruit borer. The fruit infection was lowest in treatment T 2 (herbal kunapajala), with 4.88 infected fruits, followed by 5.93 fruits in Panchagavya. The number of infections was highest in T 0 -Control (6.71 fruits). The highest infection percentage was reported in T 0 -Control (18.12%). The herbal kunapajala had neem leaves as composition and this acted as a repellent to the lepidopterans. The neem tree is a rich source of triterpenoids (Siddiqui et al. 2004) [27] . Gisbert et al. (2006) [28] found that neem plants contain salannin, making them unappealing to insects. The presence of triterpenoids and salannin in neem leaf extract may have served as an antifeedant, preventing insects from eating on the leaves and fruits. This was confirmed by Wondafrash (2012) [29] , who observed a considerable reduction in food intake and growth for Spodoptera litura after treatment with Azadirachtin, an active response. They also discovered a considerable reduction in glucose and nitrogen ingestion and utilization, as well as midgut enzyme activity (protease, phosphatase, amylase, and invertase) in borer which led to reduction in population of it. Wondafrash et al.

(2012) [29] also had similar findings where neem extract reduces the infestation of borer. Table 6.

The data for number of natural enemies (coccinellid beetles) per plant, among all organic inputs, Treatment T 0 -Control had the most natural enemies at the third spray (3.52), and treatment T 2 (Herbal kunapajala @ 10%) had the fewest natural enemies at the fourth spray (1.96). It demonstrated that natural enemies are not negatively impacted by organic inputs. The decreased frequency of pests during the fourth spay might be linked to the natural enemies' concurrently rising activity, which typically tracks the pest accumulation pattern in typical agro-ecosystems. Table 7. .91 T0 = Control, T1 = Panchagavya @ 10%, T2= Herbal kunapajala @ 10%, T3 =Vermiwash @ 10%, T4 = Jeevamrut @10%, T5 = Amritpani @10%, T6 = CAU bioenhancer @ 2% CD = Critical Difference, SE(m) = Standard Error of mean, CV= Coefficient of Variance the number in the parentheses are square root transform value .53 T0 = Control, T1 = Panchagavya @ 10%, T2= Herbal kunapajala @ 10%, T3 =Vermiwash @ 10%, T4 = Jeevamrut @10%, T5 = Amritpani @10%, T6 = CAU bioenhancer @ 2% CD = Critical Difference, SE(m) = Standard Error of mean, CV= Coefficient of Variance the number in the parentheses are square root transform value .43 T0 = Control, T1 = Panchagavya @ 10%, T2= Herbal kunapajala @ 10%, T3 =Vermiwash @ 10%, T4 = Jeevamrut @10%, T5 = Amritpani @10%, T6 = CAU bioenhancer @ 2% CD = Critical Difference, SE(m) = Standard Error of mean, CV= Coefficient of Variance the number in the parentheses are square root transform value .78 T0 = Control, T1 = Panchagavya @ 10%, T2= Herbal kunapajala @ 10%, T3 =Vermiwash @ 10%, T4 = Jeevamrut @10%, T5 = Amritpani @10%, T6 = CAU bioenhancer @ 2% CD = Critical Difference, SE(m) = Standard Error of mean, CV= Coefficient of Variance the number in the parentheses are square root transform value .096 T0 = Control, T1 = Panchagavya @ 10%, T2 = Herbal kunapajala @ 10%, T3 = Vermiwash @ 10%, T4 = Jeevamrut @10%, T5 = Amritpani @10%, T6 = CAU bioenhancer @ 2% CD = Critical Difference, SE(m) = Standard Error of mean, CV= Coefficient of Variance the number in the parentheses are square root transform value T0 = Control, T1 = Panchagavya @ 10%, T2 = Herbal kunapajala @ 10%, T3 =Vermiwash @ 10%, T4 = Jeevamrut @10%, T5 = Amritpani @10%, T6 = CAU bioenhancer @ 2% CD = Critical Difference, SE(m) = Standard Error of mean, CV= Coefficient of Variance the number in the parentheses are square root transform value

Conclusion

The application of organic inputs had some impact on the pest incidence of chilli. The application of herbal kunapajala reduced the population of aphid in chilli. In terms of whiteflies the most effective input was found to be treatment T 2 (Herbal kunapajala @10%) with a population of 3.02. The lowest number of thrips per three leaves per plant was found in T 2 (Herbal Kunapajala) 8.45, followed by T 5 (Amritapani) of fourth spray. The infestation of fruit was least in the treatment T 2 (Herbal kunapajala) with the value of 4.88 infected fruits followed by 5.93 fruits in T 2 (Panchagavya). T 2 (Herbal Kunapajala) had the lowest prevalence of mite population, at 2.91, followed by 3.15 in T 4 (Jeevamrut) of the fourth spray.The number of whiteflies, thrips and mites were also reduced after the application of herbal kunapajala. The infestation percentage of fruit is found lesser in this treatment.

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