Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield of green chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

DOI: 10.22161/ijeab.105.26

Abstract:
This study investigates the impact of integrated nutrient management (INM) on the growth and yield attributes of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.), a major spice and vegetable crop with significant economic and culinary value in tropical regions. Chilli is nutritionally rich, containing capsaicinoids, vitamins A and C, carotenoids and essential minerals, contributing to its flavor and health benefits. Excessive use of synthetic fertilizers has degraded soil health, necessitating sustainable alternatives. INM, which combines organic (vermicompost, Farm Yard Manure (FYM)) and inorganic fertilizers (NPK), offers a balanced nutrient supply, promoting soil fertility and crop productivity. Among the treatments, T7 (NPK + 50% vermicompost) significantly enhanced growth parameters such as plant height, branch number and fruit attributes, outperforming other treatments. T7 also shortened the time to first fruit harvest, confirming the positive influence of consistent nutrient availability through INM. The study recorded substantial improvements in fruit length, girth, weight and yield per plant in T7, with T8 (NPK + 50% FYM) following closely. Results indicate that combining organic and inorganic sources enhances nutrient use efficiency, promoting root proliferation, canopy growth and enhanced production of growth regulators. These findings align with previous studies on nutrient management in various crops (e.g., tomatoes and fennel) and support INM’s role in sustainable agriculture. Overall, INM demonstrated clear advantages over single organic and inorganic manure applications, confirming its effectiveness in boosting chilli crop yield and quality while maintaining soil health and sustainability.

Keywords:
Integrated Nutrient Management, Chilli.

Article Info:
Received: 13 Sep 2025; Received in revised form: 15 Oct 2025; Accepted: 21 Oct 2025; Available online: 30 Oct 2025

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