RESPONSE OF CHILLI (CAPSICUM ANNUM L.) FOR GRADED LEVELS OF FERTILIZERS AND JEEVAMRUTA APPLICATION

The experiment was conducted at Horticulture Research and Extension Station, Devihosur, Haveri, Karnataka to study the effect of different levels of fertilizers with jeevamruta applications at different growth stages of Byadagi Chilli (Dabbi). The pooled results of the experiment revealed that among fertilizer levels (main plots) 100% RDF has given the significantly highest dry Chilli yield (829 kg ha-1) compared to other levels of fertilizer doses application. The response of dry chilli yield for jeevamruta application at different stages (sub plots) showed the significant effect. The jeevamruta application @ 550 l ha1at the time of transplanting + flowering + fruit initiation stages has recorded significantly highest dry chilli yield (619 kg ha1) compare to jeevamruta application at transplanting stage and transplanting + fruit initiation stage. The similar trend was noticed with respect to number of fruits and fruit yield per plant. The interaction effect for different levels of fertilizers and jeevamruta application was also differed significantly i.e. the 100% RDF with jeevamruta application @ 550 l ha-1 at transplanting + flowering + fruit initiation stages has recorded significantly highest dry chilli yield (910 kg ha-1) compare to other interaction effects. The similar trend was also noticed with respect to number of fruits and fruit yield per plant.


Introduction
Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the widely grown high value vegetable crops in India as well as in the world, mostly because of its high yield potential, high income to the farmers, greater supply of vitamins and minerals in human nutrition. Extraction of alkaloids (capsaicin) can potentially generate employment opportunities. In addition, the versatilities of this vegetable contribute greater to its popularity as a food product either directly or after processing. The production of chilli is governed not only by the inherent genetic yield potential of the cultivar but also greatly influenced by several environmental factors and cultivation practices. Integrated nutrient management plays an important role in crop nutrition because of increased demand from high yielding crops and intensive cropping. The continued expansion of cropping on the marginal lands with low levels of micronutrients due to increased use of high analysis fertilizers containing low levels of micro-nutrients decreased use of manures, compost and crop residue in some parts of world.

Materials and Methods
The field experiment was laid out at Horticulture Research and Extension Station, Devihosur, Haveri, Karnataka for three years (2011, 2012, and 2013) in split plot design with six main and three sub treatments replicated thrice. The main treatments were graded levels of recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) from 25 to 100 per cent, organics (FYM + vermicompost applied on nitrogen equivalent base) and control (no fertilizers). The liquid manure Jeeavamruta was prepared with 10 kg of cow dung mixed with 10 liter of cow urine + Jaggery 2 kg + Pulse flour 2 kg + handful of same field soil mixed in 200 liters of water and kept for 8 days. The sub treatments include the stages of Jeevamruta application. The Jeevamruta was applied @ 550 l/ha at three different growth stages mainly at the time of transplanting, flowering and fruit initiation stage. The crop was raised as per the package of practices and all the crop husbandry practices were carried out. The jeevamruta a liquid manure contains many of the nutrients and good microbial  Table 3 : Effect of graded levels of fertilizers and jeevamruta application on growrh and yield of dry chilli (Three years pooled).  Where, J1 -Jeevamruta application @ 550 l ha -1 at transplanting stage, J2 -Jeevamruta application @ 550 l ha -1 at transplanting + flowering stage J3 -Jeevamruta application @ 550 l ha -1 at transplanting + flowering + fruit initiation stage.

Results and Discussion
The three years (2011, 2012 and 2013) pooled results of the experiment (table 3) revealed that among the main treatment 100% RDF was recorded significantly highest dry chilli yield (829 kg ha -1 ) compare to rest of the treatments while the lowest yield was recorded with control (315 kg ha -1 ). Among the various stages of Jeevamruta applied, the application at transplanting + flowering + fruit intimation stage recorded significantly highest dry chilli yield. (619 kg ha -1 ) compare to rest of the stages of Jeevamruta application.
Among the interactions, chilli supplied with 100% RDF + Jeevamruta application at transplanting + flowering + fruit initiation stage was recorded significantly higher dry chilli yield (910 kg ha -1 ), while control + Jeevamruta application at transplanting stage recorded the lowest dry chilli yield (315 kg ha -1 ). The similar trend was noticed in all the three years (2011, 2012 and 2013) of experimentation. The similar result of increase in yield of chilli by combination of RDF and organic manure was also reported by Kattimani et al. (2009) andShashidhara et al. (2007).
The increase in dry pod yield of chilli with the application 100% RDF + Jeevamruta application @ 550 l ha -1 at transplanting, flowering and fruit initiation stage is mainly due to significantly higher yield parameters such as number of fruits and fruit weight per plant. Similar result of increase in yield components was reported by Singh et al. (2010) and Sanjutha et al. (2008), increased growth and yield parameters in Kalmegh with the application of FYM @ 15 t ha -1 + NPK-1 @ 75:75:50 kg ha -1 + Panchagavya @ 3 per cent foliar spray.
The economics of the experiment (table 4) revealed that among the main treatments significantly highest gross returns (Rs. 91,208/-) net returns (Rs. 62,308/-) and B: C ratio (3.2) was obtained with 100% RDF compare to rest of the treatments. The similar trend was also noticed with Jeevamruta application at transplanting + flowering + fruit initiation stages. The treatments differed significantly for interaction effects. The interaction effect of 100 % RDF + Jeevamruta application at three stages (transplanting + flowering + fruit initiation) recorded significantly highest gross returns (Rs. 1,00,100/-), net gross returns (Rs. 70,200/-) and B: C ratio (3.3) compare to rest of the treatment combinations. These results are in conformity with the findings of Shivaprasad et al. (2010). Sreenivasa, M. N., Nagaraj Naik and S. N. Bhat (2011). Nutrient status and microbial load of different organic liquid manures. Karnataka J. Agric. Sci., 24(4) : (583-584).