Influence of nutrients and mulching on fruiting and fruit characteristics of bell pepper (Capsicum annum L.)

The field experiment was conducted to study the effect of nutrients and mulching on fruiting and fruit characteristics of Bell pepper at Horticulture farm, Institute of Agriculture, Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan (West Bengal) during rabi season 2014-15. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD) consisting of nine treatments. The treatment comprising of different combinations of nutrients and mulches i.e. Nitrogen (150Kg haand 200 Kg ha), Phosphorous (80 Kg ha and 120 Kg ha) and mulches (Paddy straw and water hyacinth each @ 7t ha) with three replications. The statistical analysis indicated that the fruiting and fruit characteristics of bell pepper were significantly influenced by nutrients and mulching. Highest number of fruits per plant (9.95), highest fruit weight (69.18g), maximum fruit length (9.95cm), diameter (7.37cm) and volume (97.07cm) were observed in the treatment T6 with 200kg N ha + 80kg P2O5 ha + Paddy straw mulch @ 7 t/ha. Control condition indicated significantly lowest result than all other treatments.