Integrated response of capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.) to potassium fertilization gradients and plastic-coloured mulches under temperate conditions

A field experiment was conducted at the Experimental Farm of the Division of Vegetable Science, Faculty of Horticulture, SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar (J&K) to study the integrated effects of different potassium fertilization gradients and coloured plastic mulches on the performance of capsicum (cv. Nishat-1). The study evaluated the individual and interactive effects of these factors on macronutrient uptake (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium; kg ha⁻¹), soil moisture dynamics and relative economic returns. The experiment was laid out in a strip plot design with 12 treatment combinations viz., T1 (75% RFD of potassium + black mulch); T2 (75% RFD of potassium + silver mulch); T3 (75% RFD of potassium + green mulch); T4 (75% RFD of potassium + pink mulch); T5(100% RFD of potassium + black mulch); T6 (100% RFD of potassium + silver mulch); T7 (100% RFD of potassium + green mulch); T8(100% RFD of potassium + pink mulch); T9 (125% RFD of potassium + black mulch); T10 (125% RFD of potassium + silver mulch); T11 (125% RFD of potassium + green mulch); T12 (125% RFD of potassium + pink mulch) with three replications. Total uptake of nutrients by plant and fruits was estimated at harvest, while soil moisture content was monitored on a weekly basis to evaluate the influence of different mulch colours on soil moisture conservation. The results revealed that maximum nutrient uptake by plant and fruits was recorded with T9 (125% RFD of potassium + black mulch), followed by treatment T10 (125% RFD of potassium + silver mulch). Data with respect to different coloured mulches revealed that black polythene mulch conserved the maximum soil moisture throughout the crop growth period, whereas the lowest soil moisture was observed under pink mulch. Economic analysis further revealed that the treatment T9 (125% RFD of potassium+ black mulch) was most profitable, recording the highest net returns of Rs. 788,231.59 ha⁻¹.