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Response of coloured sweet pepper (Capsicum

annuum L. var. Grossum) to fertigation and
irrigation levels under naturally ventilated
greenhouse

Article · March 2015

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A K Jain Salesh Kumar Jindal

Punjab Agricultural University Punjab Agricultural University
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Retrieved on: 31 May 2016
Agric Res J 52 (1) : 19-25, March 2015

RESPONSE OF COLOURED SWEET PEPPER (Capsicum annuum L. var. Grossum) TO

FERTIGATION AND IRRIGATION LEVELS UNDER NATURALLY VENTILATED
GREENHOUSE
Nilesh Biwalkar1*, KG Singh1, AK Jain1, Rakesh Sharda1, S K Jindal2, Kulbir Singh2 and Neena Chawla2
1
Department of Soil and Water Engineering, 2 Department of Vegetable Science
Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana -141 004

ABSTRACT
Experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of coloured sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L. var.
grossum) under naturally ventilated greenhouse during 2012-13 at the research farm of Department of Soil and
Water Engineering, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana to determine the effect of different fertigation and
irrigation levels on crop parameters, yield, water use efficiency (WUE), fertilizer use efficiency (FUE) and quality
parameters. Fertigation levels used were F1: 120 percent, F2: 100 percent and F3: 80 percent of targeted dose
of fertilizer; irrigation levels were I1: 100 percent, I2: 80 percent and I3: 60 percent replenishment of ETC; and
varieties were Syngenta Yellow and Syngenta Red. The study revealed that different levels of fertigation and
irrigation had significant effect on plant parameters, yield, WUE, FUE and quality parameters. Fertigation and
irrigation having combination of 120 percent targeted dose of fertilizer and 100 percent replenishment of ETC
i.e. F1I1 showed superiority over all other treatment combinations. Syngenta Yellow variety produced maximum
plant height (191.77 cm), leaf area index (4.34), dry matter (24.15%) and yield (168.74 ton ha-1). Syngenta Red
variety produced better quality parameters under the treatment F1I1; the fruit length (10.37 cm), fruit width (9.20
cm), fruit girth (32.13 cm), pericarp thickness (0.84 cm) and fruit weight (221.80 g) were also found maximum in
Syngenta Red. But the maximum ascorbic acid content (167.40 mg 100g-1 fresh wt.) was recorded in Syngenta
Yellow variety. Maximum WUE (14.60 q ha-1 cm-1) and FUE (1.23 q kg-1 of NPK) were recorded in Syngenta Yellow
variety. The least values of all parameters were recorded in F3I3 (80 percent targeted dose of fertilizer and 60
percent replenishment of ETC) treatment.
Key words: Fertigation, Fertilizer use efficiency, Irrigation, Naturally ventilated greenhouse, sweet pepper, Water use
efficiency

Sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L. var. grossum) also on fertigation. Most of the workers found that the yield of
called as bell pepper, capsicum, green pepper or Shimla mirch crop increased with increase in fertilizer dose (Mahajan and
is highly remunerative crop for greenhouse cultivation. India Singh, 2006; Khan et al., 2010; Patel and Rajput 2010; Roy
contributes one fourth of world production of capsicum with et al., 2011). The present study was carried out to investigate
an average annual production of 0.9 million tons from an the performance of two coloured sweet pepper varieties in
area of 0.885 million hectare (Sreedhara et al., 2013). Higher relation to different fertigation and irrigation levels under
yields are reported when capsicum is grown under protected naturally ventilated greenhouse condition.
structures. When sweet pepper is grown in greenhouse
having more than 6 m height the yield increases up to 100 MATERIALS AND METHODS
t/ha (Singh et al., 2011). A naturally ventilated greenhouse The experiment was conducted at the research
works effectively in temperature range of 15-35oC. Bell farm of Department of Soil and Water Engineering,
pepper requires 20-25oC temperature for vegetative growth Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during 2012-
during the day and 16-18 oC during the night. 13 (September – July) under a naturally ventilated high
Antony and Singandhupe (2004) studied the impact of greenhouse having area of 560 m2 with 6.5 m height (Fig.
drip and surface irrigation on growth, yield and water use 1). Fertilizers along with irrigation were applied to the crop
efficiency of capsicum. It revealed that 100 per cent drip by using drip irrigation system on the basis of target yield.
irrigation gave maximum yield in capsicum grown in loamy Target yield of sweet pepper was set as 3 kg of marketable
soil of humid subtropical region of India. Diaz-Perez et al., fruit yield per plant.
(2004) studied the effect of irrigation levels on fruit yield There were three levels of fertigation i.e., F1: 120 % of
of drip irrigated bell pepper and found that the average soil targeted fertilizer dose, F2: 100% of targeted fertilizer dose
moisture content for the season increased with increasing and F3: 80% of targeted fertilizer dose. There were three
rate of irrigation. A number of studies have also conducted levels of irrigation i.e., I1: 100% replenishment of crop
evapo-transpiration, 12:80% replenishment of crop evapo-
*Corresponding author: nileshbiwalkar-swe@pau.edu transpiration and I3: 60% replenishment of crop evapo-
Date of receipt : 17.02.2014, Date of acceptance: 17.06.2014

19
 Plants were trained by using plastic twine (thread) tied to
the overhead galvanized iron wire. Plant height (cm) and leaf
area index (LAI) were measured at fortnightly interval starting
from 30 days after transplanting (DAT) upto 285 DAT. Dry
matter percent (DMP) was recorded at the end of the crop
season by drying at 105oC for 72 hours. The observations on
fruit weight (g), fruit length (cm), fruit breadth (cm), pericarp
thickness (cm) and ascorbic acid were also recorded. On the
basis of total yield, water and fertilizers applied during the
crop season, water use efficiency (WUE) and fertilizer use
efficiency (FUE) were calculated as q ha-1cm-1 and qkg-1 of
NPK. Data recorded for various parameters were statistically
Fig. 1. Naturally ventilated greenhouse having floor area of 560 m2
analyzed as per split-split design in accordance with Singh
et al. (1998). The statistical differences among fertigation
transpiration. Two varieties of coloured sweet pepper viz.
levels, irrigation levels, varieties and their interaction on
Syngenta Yellow (Orobelle) and Syngenta Red (Bomby)
parameters related to plant, yield and quality were tested with
were taken for the study. The experiment was laid out as per
Fisher’s least significant difference (P≤0.05) using analysis of
split-split statistical design. The size of the plot was 4.5 m x
variance (Montgomery, 1991). The ANOVA was performed
3.0 m (13.5 m2). The seedlings were planted at 0.45 m (plant
at α ≤ 0.05 level of significance to determine if significant
to plant) x 0.50 m (row to row) distance.
differences existed among different treatments.
The sweet pepper plants were so trained that each plant
had 4 shoots (branches) and 15 – 20 flowers and allowed RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
to grow in a single plant to get the desired targeted yield.
The results obtained from the present study on various
Amount of fertilizers for target yield was calculated by
plant related parameters, yield, water use efficiency (WUE)
knowing the amount of N, P and K through soil testing. Soil
and fertilizer use efficiency (FUE) are presented in Table 3.
testing was done at soil testing laboratory in the Department
of Soil Science, PAU, Ludhiana. Total amount of fertilizers Comparing the means of different parameters by using
given to the plants during crop season is mentioned in Table least significant method LSD0.05, it was found that fertigation,
1. irrigation, varieties and their interaction had significant effect
on plant height and LAI. For DMP, interaction between
Table 1. Total quantity of fertilizers applied to sweet pepper
crop during crop season irrigation and varieties and interaction among all three
factors i.e. irrigation and varieties had no significant effect
Treatment Quantity of fertilizers applied (kg ha-1) on plant height. From ANOVA, it is clear that combination of
N P K Total different treatments had significant effect on plant parameters.
F1 1186 90 445 1721 In case of Syngenta Yellow variety, the maximum plant
F2 989 75 371 1435
height (191.77 cm) was recorded in treatment F1I1 i.e. 120
percent of targeted fertilizer dose along with 100 percent
F3 791 60 297 1148
replenishment of crop evapo-transpiration, whereas, the
Before giving the required dose of fertilizers to the minimum plant height (117.37 cm) was recorded in F3I3
plants, different amounts of nutrients were calculated and treatment i.e. 80 percent of targeted fertilizer dose along
available nutrient in the soil was subtracted from it. Initial with 60 percent replenishment of crop evapo-transpiration.
nutrient levels in the soil are given in Table 2. This is mainly due to the fact that F1I1 received sufficient
amount of water and fertilizer for its vital growth and proper
Table 2. Initial soil status of the experimental area
development. The same results were obtained by Antony and
Particulars Reported Range Singandhupe (2004). Required amount of water and fertilizer
amount Low Medium High were available for plant but in case of F3I3 the amount of
pH 8.5 6.5-8.7 8.8-9.3 >9.3 water as well as fertilizer were not up to the mark for plant
requirement, that is why plants remained less developed. For
EC (m mhos cm-1) 0.16 ≤0.8 - >0.8
Syngenta Yellow variety, treatments F1I2, F1I3, F2I1, F2I3,
Organic Carbon (%) 0.390 <0.4 0.4-0.75 >0.75 F3I1, F3I2, and F3I3 can be grouped together as any of these
Nitrogen (kg ha-1) 127 <272 272-544 >544 groups did not differ significantly. Treatment F1I2, F1I3 and
Phosphorus (kg 27.6 <5 5-9 9-20 F2I1 gave significantly higher plant height than treatments
acre-1) F2I3, F3I1, F3I2, and F3I3.
Potassium (kg acre-1) 89 ≤55 - >55 Higher levels of fertigation and irrigation gave more
values than lower levels. In case of Syngenta Red variety, the

20
Table 3. Effect of different levels of fertilizer, irrigation and varieties on growth and yield parameters of coloured sweet pepper

Treatment Plant height (cm) LAI Yield WUE FUE

(m2/m2) kg/plant (Ton/ha) (q ha-1cm-1) (q kg-1 of NPK)
Syngenta Yellow
F1I1 191.77a 4.34a 168.74a 13.80bc 1.23a
F1I2 184.43ab 4.28ab 136.27b 13.93b 1.19ab
F1I3 174.10 ac
4.23 bc
107.06 bcj
14.60 a
1.16ac
F2I1 178.90ad 4.22bcd 135.97bcd 11.12ef 0.99d
F2I2 163.73 bcde
4.15 cej
108.50 bce
11.09 e
0.95de
F2I3 133.90fj 4.14fj 86.99efjk 11.86d 0.95df
F3I1 148.93 egj
4.08 gj
85.77 egjk
7.01 i
0.61gj
F3I2 129.57hj 4.02gh 75.17hjk 7.69h 0.65hj
F3I3 117.37fij 3.91i 61.39ik 8.37g 0.67ij
C D (p≤0.05) 0.84 0.0071 6.21 NS 0.043
CV 0.30 0.10 3.26 2.43 2.58
Syngenta Red
F1I1 159.90a 4.29a 121.60a 9.94bc 0.88bc
F1I2 154.30 ab
4.23 ab
103.65 b
10.60 b
0.91ab
F1I3 148.07bc 4.18bc 92.79c 12.65a 1.01a
F2I1 146.93 bcd
4.17 bcd
89.54 cd
7.32 df
0.65df
F2I2 144.60ce 4.10ce 74.61e 7.62de 0.65de
F2I3 141.60cf 4.09cf 63.50f 8.66cd 0.69d
F3I1 139.20 cg
4.03 efg
54.40 fg
4.45 ij
0.39ij
F3I2 140.50cgh 3.97gh 46.94gh 4.80hj 0.41hj
F3I3 137.67 efgi
3.87 i
36.80 i
5.02 gj
0.40gj
C D (p≤0.05) 0.78 0.0069 2.83 0.24 0.023
CV 0.30 0.10 2.09 1.73 1.93

LSD(p≤0.05)
Parameter Fertigation Irrigation Varieties FxI FxV IxV FxIxV
SE (±) 0.17 0.21 0.34 4.36 22.48 15.42 6.69
Plant Ht 0.28 0.26 0.33 0.45 0.58 0.58 1.00
SE (±) 0.34 0.47 0.11 0.37 0.22 0.56 -
LAI 0.016 0.0039 0.0013 0.0068 0.0023 0.0023 NS
SE (±) 2.05 1.57 1.42 8.95 4.00 12.77 4.69
Yield 3.29 1.97 1.41 3.41 2.44 2.44 4.22
SE (±) 7.80 1.58 6.69 0.38 0.36 0.35 0.49
WUE 0.29 0.12 0.13 0.21 0.23 0.23 0.40
SE (±) 0.66 0.029 0.57 0.020 0.030 0.047 0.042
FUE 0.027 0.011 0.012 0.019 0.021 0.021 0.037
LAI = Leaf area index; WUE = Water use efficiency; FUE= Fertiliser use efficiency

maximum plant height (159.90 cm) was recorded in treatment Syngenta red variety, treatments F1I2, F1I3 and F2I1, F2I2,
F1I1 i.e. 120 percent of targeted fertilizer dose along with 100 F2I3, F3I1 and F3I2 can be grouped together as any of these
percent replenishment of crop evapo-transpiration, whereas, groups didnot differ significantly. Treatment F1I2, F1I3 and
the minimum plant height (137.67 cm) was recorded at F3I3 F2I1 gave significantly higher plant height than treatments
treatment i.e. 80 percent of targeted fertilizer dose along with F2I3, F3I1, F3I2, and F3I3. However, higher levels of
60 percent replenishment of crop evapo-transpiration. For fertigation and irrigation gave more values than lower levels.
In case of Syngenta Yellow variety, the maximum
21
LAI (4.34) was recorded in treatment F1I1, whereas, the minimum with treatment F3I1 (7.01 q ha-1cm-1). Treatments
minimum LAI (3.91) was recorded in F3I3 treatment. There F1I1, F1I2, F2I1 and F2I2 can be grouped together as any
was a significant difference in the effect of various treatments of these groups did not differ significantly. Treatments F1I1
on LAI. Treatments F1I2, F1I3, F2I1, F2I2, F2I3, F3I1 and and F1I2 gave significantly higher plant height than F2I1
F3I2 can be grouped together as any of these groups did not and F2I2. However, lower levels of irrigation gave more
differ significantly. However, higher levels of fertigation and values than higher levels. The maximum value of FUE was
irrigation gave more values than the lower levels. Treatment recorded in the treatment F1I1 (1.23 q kg-1 of NPK) where as
F1I1 had significantly higher LAI as compared with other the minimum value was recorded under the treatment F3I1
treatments under the two varieties, whereas, treatment F3I3 (0.61 q kg-1 of NPK). Treatments F1I2, F1I3, 2I2 and F2I3,
had the least values of LAI. Likewise, in case of Syngenta Red F3I1 and F2I3 can be grouped together as any of these groups
variety, the maximum LAI (4.29) was recorded at treatment did not differ significantly. Treatment F1I2 and F1I3 gave
F1I1, whereas; the minimum LAI (3.87) was recorded at significantly higher plant height than treatments F2I2, F2I3,
F3I3 treatment. According to Watson (1952), the formation F1I2 and F1I3.
of optimum photosynthetic area and maintaining the leaf In case of Syngenta Red variety, ANOVA revealed that
area in photosynthetically active stage for longer period were the maximum value of WUE was obtained in treatment F1I3
essential for increasing fruit yield. This is the main reason (12.65 q ha-1cm-1) and the minimum under treatment F3I1
for the higher growth of morphological characters like plant (4.45 q ha-1cm-1). Treatments F2I1, F2I2, F3I1, F3I2 and F3I3
growth and higher LAI and more DMP under F1I1 treatment can be grouped together as any of these groups did not differ
as compared to the other treatments. Similar results were significantly. Treatments F2I1 and F2I2 gave significantly
reported by Aliyu (2002), Ramakrishna and Palled (2004) higher plant height than treatments F3I1, F3I2 and F3I3.
and Kattimani (2004) for chilli crop and by Antony and However, lower levels of irrigation gave more values than
Singandhupe (2004) for sweet pepper. higher levels. The maximum value of FUE was recorded in
Comparing the means by using LSD0.05 of different the treatment F1I3 (1.01 q kg-1 of NPK) whereas the minimum
parameters revealed that there were significant effects of value was recorded in F3I1 (0.39 q kg-1 of NPK). Treatments
fertigation, irrigation, varieties and their interactions on F1I1, F1I2, F2I1, F2I2, F3I1, F3I2 and F3I3 can be grouped
yield. ANOVA revealed that for Syngenta Yellow variety, the together as any of these groups did not differ significantly.
maximum yield was obtained under treatment F1I1 (168.74 Treatments F1I1 and F1I2 gave significantly higher plant
ton ha-1) and the minimum under treatment F3I3 (61.39 ton height than treatments F2I1, F2I2, F3I1, F3I2 and F3I3. For
ha-1). Table 1 revealed that for both the varieties i.e. Syngenta Syngenta Red variety, lower level of fertilizer produced high
Yellow and Syngenta Red, the maximum yield was recorded FUE value. These results are in accordance with those of
at the maximum level of fertilizer along with the maximum Ngouajio et al. (2007) as they found that withholding drip
level of irrigation followed by the medium and low levels irrigation water increased irrigated water use efficiency.
of fertilizer and irrigation application. In case of Syngenta
Yellow variety, treatments F1I3, F2I1, F2I2, F2I3, F3I1, Fruit and quality parameters
F3I2, and F3I3 can be grouped together as any of these Comparing the means of the parameters by using LSD0.05
groups did not differ significantly. Treatment F1I3, F2I1 and method, it is clear that the levels of fertigation, irrigation,
F2I2 gave significantly higher plant height than treatments varieties and their interactions had significant effect on
F2I3, F3I1, F3I2, and F3I3. However higher levels of quality parameters (Table 4), except that the varieties had
fertigation and irrigation gave more values than lower levels. no significant effect on fruit length; interaction of fertilizer
For Syngenta Red variety, the maximum yield was obtained and varieties had no significant effect on pericarp thickness
under treatment F1I1 (121.60 ton ha-1) and the minimum and ascorbic acid content; and interaction of irrigation and
under treatment F3I3 (36.80 ton ha-1). In low fertilizer and varieties had no significant effect on ascorbic acid.
irrigation level, overall plant development was restricted
ANOVA revealed that there were significant effects of
and LAI value was recorded less. Low level of fertilizer
treatments on quality parameters. The maximum values of
and irrigation level leads to low productivity. Hedge (1989)
quality parameters were recorded under the treatment F1I1
reported higher yield when plants receiving nitrogen at 180
i.e. 120 per cent of targeted fertilizer dose along with 100
kg ha-1. Contreras et al. (2006) also found a positive response
per cent replenishment of crop evapo-transpiration, whereas,
between higher yield and an increase of NPK concentration.
the minimum values were recorded in F3I3 treatment i.e. 80
Antony and Singandhupe (2004) observed the higher yield
per cent of targeted fertilizer dose along with 60 per cent
due to high N application in tomato crop.
replenishment of crop evapo-transpiration. For Syngenta
LSD0.05 results on WUE and FUE showed that there Yellow variety, the maximum fruit length was recorded as
were significant effects of fertigation, irrigation, varieties and 9.33 cm and the minimum fruit length as 4.87 cm whereas
their interactions on WUE and FUE. For Syngenta Yellow for the Syngenta Red variety, it was 10.37 cm and 5.60 cm,
variety, ANOVA revealed that the maximum value of WUE respectively. Treatments F1I2, F1I3, F2I1, F2I3, F3I1 and
was obtained with treatment F1I3 (14.60 q ha-1cm-1) and the F3I2 in case of Syngenta yellow variety and treatments F1I3,
22
Table 4. Effect of different levels of fertilizer, irrigation and varieties on fruit quality and traits of coloured sweet pepper

Treatment Fruit length Fruit width Fruit girth Pericarp Fruit weight DMP (%) Ascorbic acid
(cm) (cm) (cm) thickness (g) (mg 100g-1 of
(cm) fruit)
Syngenta Yellow
F1I1 9.33a* 8.92a 30.50a 0.78a 200.20a 24.15a 167.40a
F1I2 9.09 ab
8.65 ab
28.80 b
0.75 ab
188.97 ab
22.58 b
162.04ab
F1I3 8.13ac 7.95ac 26.33c 0.70c 147.77c 21.45bc 151.31c
F2I1 8.40 acd
8.15 acd
26.60 cd
0.69 cd
164.60 bcd
20.85 cdj
144.49cd
F2I2 7.27ce 6.94ce 24.27e 0.65de 149.13ce 20.31cejk 136.69de
F2I3 6.20ef 5.81fj 21.67fj 0.60f 95.90f 19.67fjk 131.82ef
F3I1 6.47 egj
6.25 egj
22.50 fg
0.57 fgj
100.04fg 19.86 gjk
127.92fg
F3I2 5.83egj 5.68hj 21.10hj 0.55hj 77.27gh 19.35hjk 124.51fh
F3I3 4.87 fij
4.85 fhi
17.67 i
0.53 ij
54.28 i
18.99 ik
121.10ghi
CD(p≤0.05) 0.13 0.10 0.30 0.01 4.04 0.38 2.34
CV 1.02 0.82 0.70 0.91 1.73 1.02 0.93
Syngenta Red
F1I1 10.37a 9.20a 32.13a 0.84a 221.80a 23.23a 151.77a
F1I2 9.10b 8.24ab 29.30ab 0.80ab 210.57ab 22.04ab 146.41ab
F1I3 8.30bc 6.99bc 26.07c 0.73c 169.37c 21.00bc 135.68c
F2I1 7.73cd
7.16 bcd
25.97 cd
0.73 cd
187.87 bcd
20.32 cdj
128.86cd
F2I2 6.27ej 5.92cej 22.67e 0.68ce 172.40ce 19.96cej 121.06de
F2I3 6.03 fj
5.66 cfj
20.30 ef
0.64 ef
119.17 f
19.48 fj
116.19ef
F3I1 6.57gj 5.45cgj 20.07eg 0.62fgj 124.00fg 19.62cgj 112.29fgj
F3I2 5.83 hj
5.12 hj
18.73 fh
0.59 fhj
101.23 fh
19.19 hj
108.88fhj
F3I3 5.60ij 5.09ij 17.63fi 0.57gij 81.60hi 18.92ij 105.47ij
CD(p≤0.05) 0.16 0.17 0.21 0.0087 3.84 0.63 2.35
CV 1.26 1.51 0.49 0.71 1.40 1.74 1.05

LSD(p≤0.05)
Parameter Fertigation Irrigation Varieties FxI FxV IxV FxIxV
SE (±) 3.96 1.99 - 0.29 0.67 0.38 0.29
F length 0.12 0.067 NS 0.12 0.095 0.095 0.16
SE (±) 3.59 1.78 1.03 0.42 0.24 0.24 0.46
F width 0.12 0.063 0.074 0.11 0.13 0.13 0.22
SE (±) 11.35 5.74 1.55 0.69 1.45 0.45 0.81
F girth 0.37 0.13 0.084 0.22 0.14 0.14 0.25
SE (±) 0.23 0.29 0.29 0.021 - 0.0089 0.0063
P thick. 0.012 0.0040 0.0027 0.0069 NS 0.0047 0.0081
SE (±) 0.83 1.8 0.18 12.25 2.11 0.73 0.81
F wt. 1.34 2.26 0.18 3.92 0.32 0.32 0.55
SE (±) 3.93 1.74 0.81 0.65 0.30 - -
DMP 0.19 0.27 0.11 0.47 0.19 NS NS
SE (±) 1.45 1.07 0.34 3.72 - - 0.12
A acid 2.32 1.35 0.034 2.34 NS NS 0.10
DMP = Dry matter percent

23
F2I1, F2I2, F2I3, F3I1, F3I2 and F3I3 in case of Syngenta Syngenta Yellow was recorded as 200.20 g and 54.28 g,
Red variety can be grouped together as any of these groups did respectively, whereas, for Syngenta Red, it was 221.80 g
not differ significantly. However, higher levels of fertigation and 81.60 gm respectively. In Syngenta Yellow variety,
along with high level of irrigation gave more values than treatments F1I2, F2I1, F1I3, F2I2, F2I3 and F3I1 and for
lower levels. These results are in accordance with Sharma Syngenta Red variety treatments F1I2, F2I1, F1I3, F2I2,
and Peshin (1996) who observed significant increase in fruit F2I3, F3I1 and F3I2 can be grouped together as any of these
length, number of fruits per plant and fruit yield of chilli with groups did not differ significantly. Treatments F1I2 and F2I1
an increase in nitrogen levels. gave significantly higher values of fruit weight than the other
There were significant effects of different treatments on treatments. However, higher levels of fertigation along with
fruit width. The maximum fruit width of Syngenta Yellow high level of irrigation gave more values than lower levels.
variety was observed as 8.92 cm under F1I1 treatment These results are in accordance with Yellavva and Patil
,whereas, the minimum width was recorded at F3I3 treatment (2009) who found that the weight and volume of the fruits
(4.85 cm). Treatments F1I2, F1I3, F2I1, F2I3, F3I1 and grown under naturally ventilated polyhouse were higher (160
F3I2 can be grouped together as any of these groups did not g and 320 cc) as compared to shadow hall structure. They
differ significantly. However, higher levels of fertigation also concluded that the hybrid Bomby recorded higher fruit
along with high level of irrigation gave more values than weight and volume. This is mainly due to increased uptake
their lower levels. The maximum fruit width of Syngenta of nutrients and build up of sufficient photosynthates which
Red variety was recorded as 9.20 cm under F1I1 treatment, enabled the fruit to increase its size (length and breadth),
whereas, the minimum width was recorded as 5.09 cm under resulting in the increased fruit weight and volume.
F3I3 treatment. Treatments F1I2, F1I3, F2I1, F2I2, F2I3, For Syngenta Yellow variety, DMP had the maximum
F3I1, F3I2 and F3I3 can be grouped together as any of these value (24.15%) with treatment F1I1, whereas, the minimum
groups did not differ significantly. However, higher levels DMP (18.99%) was recorded at F3I3 treatment. Data on
of fertigation along with high level of irrigation gave more DMP showed that there were significant effects of different
values than the lower levels. ANOVA revealed that there treatments. Treatments F1I3, F2I1, F2I2, F2I3, F3I1, F3I2
were significant effects of various treatments on fruit girth and F3I3 can be grouped together as any of these groups did
and pericarp thickness. Higher levels of fertigation along with not differ significantly. In these groups F1I3, F2I1 and F2I2
higher level of irrigation gave more fruit girth and pericarp gave higher DMP values than treatments F2I3, F3I1, F3I2
thickness as compared with lower levels of fertigation and and F3I3. However higher levels of fertigation and irrigation
irrigation. gave more values than the lower levels. In case of Syngenta
The maximum fruit girth in Syngenta Yellow variety Red variety, DMP had the maximum value (23.23%) at
was recorded as 30.50 cm under F1I1 treatment, whereas, treatment F1I1 whereas, the minimum DMP (18.92%) was
the minimum girth was recorded as 17.67 cm. In case of recorded at F3I3.
Syngenta Red variety, the maximum fruit girth was recorded Data on DMP showed that there were significant effects of
as 32.13 cm under F1I1 treatment and the minimum in different treatments on it. Treatments F1I2, F1I3, F2I1, F2I2,
F3I3 treatment as 17.63 cm. Treatments F1I3, F2I1, F2I3 F2I3, F3I1, F3I2 and F3I3 can be grouped together as any
and F3I2 can be grouped together as any of these groups of these groups did not differ significantly. In these groups,
did not differ significantly for both Syngenta Yellow and F1I2 and F1I3 gave higher DMP values than treatments F1I3,
Syngenta Red varieties, but treatments F1I3 and F2I1 gave F2I1, F2I2, F2I3, F3I1, F3I2 and F3I3. However, higher
significantly higher fruit girth than treatments F2I3 and levels of fertigation and irrigation gave more values than the
F3I2. However, higher levels of fertigation along with high lower levels. The main reason for increased dry matter could
level of irrigation gave more values than the lower levels. be due to the higher levels of nutrients uptake that resulted
In Syngenta Yellow variety, the maximum pericarp thickness in the better utilization of nitrogen, thereby, increasing
was observed as 0.78 cm under F1I1 treatment, whereas, the dry matter. Dry matter production also depends upon
the minimum pericarp thickness was recorded as 0.53 cm in photosynthetic capacity of the plant. Throughout the crop
F3I3 treatment. Treatments F1I3, F2I1, F3I1, F3I2 and F3I3 growing season, treatment F1I1 recorded higher values of
can be grouped together as any of these groups did not differ plant parameters because of the higher nutrient uptake right
significantly. In Syngenta Red, the maximum and minimum from early stage of the crop. Similar results were observed
pericarp thickness were recorded as 0.84 cm and 0.57 cm, by Veeranna et al. (2000), Ramakrishna and Palled (2004),
respectively. Treatments F1I3 and F2I1 were at par and and Kattimani (2004) for chilli and Antony and Singandhupe
treatments F2I2, F2I3, F3I1, F3I2 and F3I3 can be grouped (2004) for sweet pepper.
together as any of these groups did not differ significantly.
However, higher levels of fertigation along with high level of Ascorbic acid was also significantly affected by various
irrigation gave more values than lower levels. treatments. The maximum and minimum values for Syngenta
Yellow and Syngenta Red varieties were recorded as 167.40
Fruit weight was also significantly affected by different mg & 121.10 mg and 151.77 mg & 105.47 mg per 100 g
treatments. The maximum and minimum fruit weight in
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of fruit weight, respectively. For Syngenta Yellow variety Montgometry D C 1991. Design and Analysis of Experiments, Third
treatments F1I3, F2I1, F2I2, F2I3, F3I1 and F3I2 and for edition, John Wiley and Sons, New York.
Syngenta Red variety treatments F2I1, F2I2, F2I3, F3I1, F3I2 Ngouajio M, Wang G and Goldy R 2007. Withholding of drip
and F3I3 can be grouped together as any of these groups did irrigation between transplanting and flowering increases the
not differ significantly. Treatments F1I3, F2I1, F2I1 and F2I2 yield of field-grown tomato under plastic mulch. Agric Water
gave significantly higher yields than the other treatments. Mgt 87: 285-91.
These results are in accordance with Ramakrishna and Palled Patel N and Rajput T B S 2010. Use of simulation modeling for
(2004) who reported that application of higher fertilizer level enhancing potato production using subsurface drip. Potato
(F4-150:75:75) recorded significantly higher ascorbic acid Journal, 37 (1-2): 21-27.
(171.45 mg/100gm fruits). Ananthi et al. (2004) also found Ramakrishna T and Palled Y B 2004. Effect of plant geometry and
similar results. fertilizer levels on quality of chilli (cv. Vietnam-2). Karnataka
J Agri Sci, 17(2): 309-10.
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