Effect of irrigation levels and frequencies on growth, yield and economics of capsicum production under naturally ventilated polyhouse

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out with the objective to standardize irrigation scheduling for improving capsicum yield for higher benefit: cost ratio under naturally ventilated polyhouse. The experiment was laid down in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) along with seven treatments comprising of three irrigation depths, two intervals and a farmers practice. The data were recorded on days to first flowering, plant height (cm), days to marketable picking, total harvest duration (days), number of fruits per plant and yield (kg/m2). A perusal of the pooled data (2011 and 2012) revealed that different levels and frequencies of irrigation produced significant differences with regards to different traits under study. The treatment with 0.25 cm irrigation at alternate day (T2) and farmer’s practice resulted in earliest flowering (41.71 days) and days to marketable picking (72.49 days), respectively. However, application of 0.50 cm of irrigation at alternate day (T4) resulted in maximum plant height (142.65 cm), total harvest duration (131.68 days), number of fruits per plant (18.26) and highest yield (12.76 kg/m2) along with maximum benefit: cost ratio (6.53:1). Hence, treatment T4 may be recommended for commercial cultivation of capsicum in the hilly regions of the country under naturally ventilated polyhouse.