1Division of Soil Sciences, S.K. University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar-191 125, Jammu & Kashmir (India)
Division of Environmental Sciences, S.K. University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar-191 125, Jammu & Kashmir (India)
*E-mail: rfarooqlone@yahoo.co.in
Online published on 1 May, 2018.
A field experiment was conducted in kharif 2012 and 2013 in which different concentrations of sewage sludge alone and in combination with different recommended doses of fertilizers (RDF) were used to assess the growth performance of bell pepper (Capsicum annum var. Nishat-1) under Kashmir conditions. The experiment comprised of five treatments 100% RDF; 100% sewage sludge; 75% sewage sludge + 25% RDF; 50% sewage sludge + 50% RDF; 50% sewage sludge + 25% RDF. Physicochemical parameters of sewage sludge viz., pH, EC, OC, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cd, Ni, Cr and Pb and pre-and post-experimental soil samples were within the permissible limits. The highest capsicum fruit yield was found in 100% RDF treatment (290.59 q ha−1), followed by 276.59 q ha−1 in 50% sewage sludge + 50% RDF treatment, 246.05 q ha−1 in 100% sewage sludge, 231.62 q ha−1 in 75% sewage sludge + 25% RDF and least 222.28 q ha−1 in 50% sewage sludge + 25% RDF. Results revealed that the use of sewage sludge had no adverse impact on fruit quality and there is an option for its use in the improvement of plant growth and soil quality thereby shall help in reducing the environmental degradation.
Capsicum annum, fruit yield, quality, sludge, soil analysis
