Effect of Planting Geometry and Fertigation Levels on Growth, Yield and Quality of Chilli

The present study entitled was carried at University Department of Horticulture, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola during the year 2014–15 and 2015–16. The experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design with nine treatment combination and each treatment was replicated thrice. The treatments comprised of three planting geometry (S) viz., S₁ (90 x 90 cm), S₂ (90 x 60 cm) and S₃ (90 x 45 cm) and three fertigation levels (F) viz., F₁ (RDF@150: 50: 50 NPK kg/ha through soil application), F₂ (100% RDF through fertigation) and F₃ (80% RDF through fertigation). The pooled data reveal that, for planting geometry, the treatment S₃ (90 cm × 45 cm) and for fertigation levels F₃ (80% RDF through fertigation) was found to be the best treatment in respect to maximum increased the growth parameters viz., plant height, stem diameter, plant spread and leaf area. Similarly, the same treatment was found best in respect of yield and yield contributing and quality parameters viz., fruit length, diameter of fruit, number of fruits per plant, average fresh weight of fruit per plant (g), green and dry fruits yield per plant (kg), yield (q/ha), ascorbic acid, chlorophyll and crude protein contents. Similarly, the quality parameters viz., ascorbic acid, chlorophyll and crude protein content were also found maximum in same treatment. The interaction effect between planting geometry and fertigation levels i.e., S₃F₃ (90 cm × 45 cm + 80% RDF through fertigation) was found superior for obtaining maximum growth, yield and better quality of chilli