Precision Application of Nitrogen by Root Dipping Application as Starter Solution in Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

To meet the nutritional demand of the vegetable crops, it is essential to supply nutrients throughout their growth period. Supply of nutrients at initial growth stages of plant leads to improved root development thus ultimately enhances nutrient uptake. Application of fertilisers near the plant root zone had been found more beneficial in liquid form as compared to solid applications. Therefore, an experiment was conducted that comprised one control N₁ (water dip only) and three concentrations of urea solution viz., N₂ (1% urea solution), N₃ (2% urea solution) and N₄ (3% urea solution) applied as root dip to chilli hybrid i.e., G₁ (Arka Gagan) and variety namely G₂ (Kashi Anmol). All the treatments were laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) with three replications. The data observed for all the parameters was found significantly affected with the use of varying concentration of urea solution. All the growth and yield parameters were statistically improved with increased concentration of urea solution from 0 to 3 per cent, while the least days to first flowering (87.50) and days to 50% flowering (94.83) and days to first harvest (112.83) were observed under control treatment. Performance of the hybrid (Arka Gagan-962.1 g/plant) and variety (Kashi Anmol-879.7 g/plant) in terms of yield was improved by 24 % and 19.4% respectively, with the application of 3% urea solution as root dipping as compared to control treatment (water dip).