Effect of Different Border Crops and Fertilizer Regimes on Capsicum Growth and Yield

Abstract

A study was carried out to access the effect of different border crops and fertilizer regime on capsicum plant growth and yield at the Agricultural Research Station, Thirunelvely, in 2009. The experiment was carried in a split plot design with four replicates, consisting of 12 treatment combinations, four different border crops (maize, chrysanthemum, sunflower, finger millet) and three different fertilizer levels (recommended level of inorganic fertilizer with organic fertilizer, ½ recommended level of inorganic fertilizer with organic fertilizer, and only organic fertilizer). Capsicum was planted at recommended spacing. Other management practices were performed as per recommendation of the Department of Agriculture. Growth and yield parameters were recorded and analyzed at α = 0.05 using SAS statistical package. The results revealed that there were no significant differences among growth parameters in the border crop until 4th week after transplanting and thereafter significant differences were observed among growth parameters. Growth parameters significantly differed among the fertilizer treatments. Highest yield was recorded in maize bordered crops at recommended level of inorganic fertilizer with organic fertilizer and the lowest yield was recorded in finger millet bordered crops with organic fertilizer only. However, yield is not significantly different among recommended level of organic fertilizer and half recommended level of organic fertilizer. Lowest level of leaf curl complex incidence was observed under the finger millet bordered crops and the lowest level was observed in maize bordered crops. It can be concluded that capsicum can be cultivated with less incidence of leaf curl with half recommended inorganic fertilizer and maize as a border crop