Progressive Horticulture

Cultivation of capsicum (Capsicum annuum L. var. Grossum Sebdt.) is very limited in Tripura due to the lack of its proper protected production technology. Though the climate of the state during winter is suitable for capsicum cultivation, open field cultivation does not fulfil the quality standards and low production resulting in a gap between the supply and increasing demand of quality capsicum. An earlier experiment in the centre standardized that second fortnight of October as a suitable planting time of capsicum var. Indra in Tripura under protected cultivation. In this study, an attempt was made to maximize the yield and nutrient management of capsicum var. Indra with Arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) inoculation. The treatments were combinations of farmyard manure @10 tons/ha (blanket application) and 3 levels of the recommended dose of fertilizer i.e., 100, 75, and 50% of RDF with or without AM during 2016–17. Application of FyM + 50% RDF + AM recorded a yield of 48.26 t/ha. Further, an increase in fertilizer application up to 75% RDF enhances the yield up to 52.63 t/ha. However, there was no significant increase in yield with an increase in fertilizer dose up to 100% RDF. Soil application of AM significantly improves the yield by 74%. The highest fruit yield (52.63t/ha) was recorded with 75% RDF + AM. The result also corresponds with the yield attributes like maximum fruit weight (172.60g) and soil microbial population [3.50 MPN (AM)/g soil]. The total soluble sugars remained non -significant in all treatments. Soil microbial population showed a negative correlation with the increase in the recommended dose of fertilizer application. Application of FyM + 75% RDF + AM was found to be the most economical and sustainable treatment.