Effect of fertilizer schedules and media composition on growth and yield of capsicum chinense jacq. Under protected house conditions in a warm and humid climate

Abstract

Capsicum chinense Jacq. is an important vegetable crop cultivated widely in tropical and subtropical regions. The present study evaluated the effects of fertilizer schedules and growing-medium compositions on the growth and yield of C. chinense under protected conditions in the Low Country Wet Zone of Sri Lanka. Three fertilizer schedules (F1: existing fertilizer schedule), F2: fertilizer schedule 2, and F3: fertilizer schedule 3) and three growing-medium (M1: 50% coir dust + 30% partially burnt paddy husk + 20% coco chips (existing medium), M2: 70% coir dust + 30% partially burnt paddy husk, and M3: 70% coir dust + 30% coco chips) were evaluated in a two-factor factorial Completely Randomized Design with four replicates. The existing fertilizer schedule and growing medium served as the control treatment. The recorded parameters included the number of branches per plant and stem girth as growth parameters, and time to first flowering as a developmental (phenological) parameter. Pod circumference, number of pods per plant, fresh weight per pod, and pod weight per plant were recorded as yield-related parameters. Pod yield was graded according to market standards as a yield-quality parameter. In addition, the cost of production for each treatment was calculated. The interaction between fertilizer schedule and growing-medium composition did not significantly affect any measured parameters. However, fertilizer schedule significantly influenced the number of branches per plant, time to first flowering, pod circumference and pod weight per plant, pod grading, and benefit-to-cost ratio. Growing-medium composition significantly influenced stem girth. The results showed that 99% of the harvested pod yield met marketable standards for weight and colour. Based on the results, the existing fertilizer schedule can be recommended as the best fertilizer schedule among the tested schedules, and any of the three growing-medium compositions can be used to achieve satisfactory growth and yield of C. chinense under a warm, humid tropical environment.