Optimizing Rabi Chilli Production: Examining the Impact of Fertigation and Drip Irrigation Levels in the Context of Mulching Practices on Yield and Quality
Rani Bathula *
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, PJTSAU, India.
M. Uma Devi
ADR, Northern Telangana Zone, PJTSAU, India.
A. Madhavi
AICRP on Soil Test Crop Response, ARI, PJTSAU, India.
K. Avil Kumar
WTC, PJTSAU, India.
Baby Akula
College of Agriculture, PJTSAU, India.
S. Triveni
College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The field investigation was carried out to evaluate the influence of fertigation levels, mulch and drip irrigation levels on yield and yield quality at WTC fields, PJTSAU, Rajendranagar, Telangana during 2020-21 and 2021-22. The study was consisted of 12 treatment combinations viz. 75%, 100% (300-60-120 kg ha-1 N-P2O5-K2O & 125% RDF, drip irrigation levels (0.8 Epan & 1.0 Epan) imposed under factorial combination of mulch (M1) and no mulch (M0) conditions. An investigation was undertaken during rabi season. Among the fertigation levels, 100% RDF (31.15 t ha-1, 195.04 mg 100 g-1, 10.33% & 0.94%, respectively) recorded the higher fresh fruit yield, ascorbic acid content, oleoresin content and capsaicin content in pooled data. With regards to mulch, the M1 has recorded the maximum values for fresh fruit yield (37.56 t ha-1), ascorbic acid content (224.43), oleoresin content (11.11%) and capsaicin content (0.74%) in pooled data.
Keywords: Fertigation levels, irrigation levels, mulch, ascorbic acid, oleoresin content and capsaicin content