Effect of Timing and Levels of Nitrogen Application with Farmyard Manure Application on Growth and Yield of Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

Nitrogen (N) plays a significant role in plant metabolic and physiological exertions. As a key factor in ensuring sustainable soil fertility and fruit productivity, N management is crucial. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2022-23 at PAU, Ludhiana. The soil of the experimental field was sandy-loam in texture, low in available nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus and potassium. The chilli hybrid CH 27 was grown in split-plot design that comprised two main plots, i.e. without and with farm yard manure (FYM) at 25 t ha-1 and thirteen subplots consisting of four different N levels: 0, 75, 113 and 150 kg N ha-1 applied in 2, 3, 4 and 5 split doses. The results revealed that higher fruit yield was attained by the application of 113 kg N ha-1 in 4 split doses integrated with FYM and recorded 45.8% higher fruit yield than the recommended dose of fertilizer, i.e. 75 kg N ha-1 applied in 2 split doses integrated with FYM due to greater number of fruits per plant. Within each N level, 4 split doses of N-fertilizer performed better than 3, 2 and 5 split doses in both without and with FYM treated plots. Only two split doses were not ensured the optimum supply of N at later growth stages. Therefore, 113 kg N ha-1 in 4 equal split doses integrated with FYM can be recommended to farmers for achieving maximum yield in chilli under Punjab conditions.