Vol. 12, Issue 3 (2023)

Author(s):
Kiran S Giri, PC Haldavanekar, YR Parulekar, BR Salvi, VV Dalvi and VG More

Abstract:
Chilli is a vegetable and spice crop grown all over the world. An investigation entitled “Growth and yield performance of promising local chilli genotype to different spacing and mulching under Konkan agro-climatic conditions” was undertaken at Experimental farm, College of Horticulture, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli during two successive kharif seasons of 2021 and 2022 by considering the potential of promising local chilli genotype. A field experiment was conducted in split plot design consisting of three main treatments i.e. S₁ (30 cm x 30 cm), S₂ (45 cm x 30 cm) and S₃ (60 cm x 30 cm) and three sub treatments i.e. M₁ (no mulch), M₂ (polyethylene mulch) and M₃ (organic mulch i.e. gliricidia mulch). A composite soil sample was drawn from experimental area to a depth of 0-30 cm and analyzed for chemical properties before transplanting and after 120 days from transplanting. The observations were recorded on various soil properties. The results revealed that soil parameters showed varying effects and the highest soil pH was recorded in S₂M₃ i.e. at 45 cm x 30 cm spacing with organic mulch (gliricidia mulch) (6.07)_, S₁M₃ i.e. at 30 cm x 30 cm spacing with organic mulch (gliricidia mulch) (6.07) and S₃M₂ i.e. at 60 cm x 30 cm spacing with polyethylene mulch (6.07) and the highest soil EC was reported in S₃M₃ i.e. at 60 cm x 30 cm spacing with organic mulch (gliricidia mulch) (0.129 dS/m) and S₂M₃ i.e. at 45 cm x 30 cm spacing with organic mulch (gliricidia mulch) (0.129 dS/m). The highest available nitrogen content (290.06 kg/ha) and available potassium content (325.65 kg/ha) in the soil was noted in S₂M₃ i.e. at 45 cm x 30 cm spacing with organic mulch (gliricidia mulch) (290.06 kg/ha). However, available phosphorous content exhibited non-significant variations. From the data recorded during the investigation revealed that local chilli genotype DPL CA-8 was performed better at 45 cm x 30 cm spacing with organic mulch (gliricidia mulch) during kharif seasons under Konkan agro-climatic conditions and resulted in improvement of soil fertility.