Effect of potassium nitrate on yield and quality of Chilli

The present investigation was conducted during 2019–20 and 2020–21 to study the effect of potassium nitrate on yield and quality of chilli. The experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design and replicated thrice during both the years. The experiment comprised of twelve treatment combinations of four nitrogen doses (0, 75, 100 and 125 kg N/ha) and three potassium levels (0, 30 kg K/ha and 30 kg K/ha along with foliar spray of KNO₃ @ 2%). Two equal splits of nitrogen i.e., one at the time of transplanting and remaining at first picking were applied in the plot where 75 kg/ha N was incorporated. However, for 100 and 125 kg N/ha, application was made in three equal splits i.e., first at the time of transplanting, second and third at first and third picking of chilli. Foliar application of KNO₃ was made thrice i.e., at the time of flowering and after first and third picking of chilli. Potassium nitrate (KNO₃) @ 2% along with 100 kg N/ha and 30 kg K/ha proved to be significantly higher in growth parameters such as canopy width and number of branches; yield parameters such as fruit length, fruit diameter, green fruit yield (q/ha), red fruit yield (q/ha); quality parameters such as dry matter, colouring matter, capsaicin content in green and red chilli, and oleoresin content as compared to recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) comprising 75 kg N/ha and 30 kg K/ha. Higher green and red ripe fruit yield of 8–18% and 20–22%, respectively in chilli was recorded due to an increase in above mentioned parameters as compared to RDF during both years. Similarly, higher dry matter (16–20%) and capsaicin content (6–9%) were recorded under same treatments. So, 100 kg nitrogen per hectare in three splits and 30 kg potassium per hectare along with three foliar sprays of KNO₃ @ 2% in chilli proved to be suitable for production of chilli under Punjab conditions.