Studies on Nitrogen Substitution through Organics Along with Foliar Application of Water Soluble Fertilizers on Growth, Yield and Quality of Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) Grown in a Vertisol of Northern Transitional Zone of Karnataka

A field experiment was conducted during kharif 201314 and 2014–15 on Byadgi chilli by substituting inorganic nitrogen with different sources of organic manures along with foliar application of water soluble fertilizers to study the growth, yield and quality of chilli in a Vertisol. The results revealed that 50% substitution of N through vermicompost recorded higher yield (9.79 q ha⁻¹), while yield obtained through 50% substitution of N through FYM+ vermicompost (9.44 q ha⁻¹) and FYM alone (9.04 q ha⁻¹) also recorded higher yield compared to recommended package of practice (7.78 q ha⁻¹). Further foliar application of KNO₃+K₂SO₄+19: 19: 19 each @ 1% resulted in higher ascorbic acid (179.72 mg100 g⁻¹) content and colour value (223.41 ASTA units) followed by foliar application of K₂SO₄.