Chilli, On farm trail, Growth parameter.

Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the important vegetable and spice crop belongs to the family Solanaceae. Chilli, known for its fiery flavor and vibrant color, Yanty et al. (2024) holds a significant place in Indian agriculture and cuisine. in addition to its traditional use as a vegetable, spice, condiment, sauce, and in pickle Vani et al. (2023) chilli is also increasingly being utilized in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and beverage industries. Tiwari et al. (2005). India is the largest producer, consumer, and exporter of chillies globally, with diverse varieties grown across different states. India is the world leader in chilli production followed by China, Thailand, Ethiopia and Indonesia with an area of 8.71 lakh ha and production of 25.97 lakh MT, (Anonymous, 2024) with an average productivity of 10.48 t/ha. Nair et al. (2023). In India, the major chilli-producing states include Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, and West Bengal. Gujarat, however, ranks seventh in both area and production. In Gujarat, chilli is cultivated on 0.40 lakh hectares, yielding an annual production of 6.49 lakh metric tonnes. The major chilli-growing districts in Gujarat are Anand, Panchmahal, Mehsana, Vadodara, Rajkot, and Sabarkantha (Anonymous, 2024). Banskantha district, in particular, is emerging as a significant chilli-growing area, with regions like Palanpur, Badgam, Danta, Lakhani, and Tharad contributing to a cultivation area of 0.016 lakh hectares and an annual production of 1.86 lakh metric tonnes. However, the district's productivity stands at only 11.2 MT per hectare, which is relatively low compared to the state's average productivity of 16.23 MT per hectare (Anonymous, 2024). The district having predominately sandy loam and the availability of Sulphur and micronutrients in soils is lacking Desai et al. (2018). The importance of enhancing chilli yield and production efficiency is paramount for farmers in the district. One effective strategy involves the utilization of micronutrients and liquid organic nutrients. Micronutrients such as zinc, boron, and manganese play essential roles in the plant's metabolic processes Angami et al. (2017). Farmers often face challenges related to soil nutrient deficiencies, which can adversely affect crop productivity Singhal (2024). Incorporating balanced doses of micronutrients through soil application or foliar spray has shown promising results in bolstering chilli yields Devi et al. (2013). Additionally, the application of liquid organic nutrients has gained traction among farmers due to its dual benefits of improving soil health and enhancing crop vigor. Organic inputs derived from compost, Plant biomass, vermicompost, and biofertilizers not only provide essential nutrients but also foster beneficial microbial activity in the soil Shaji et al. (2021). This biological approach supports sustainable agriculture practices while minimizing environmental impact. OFTs conducted by KVKs involve direct participation of farmers, enabling them to observe, learn, and adapt new techniques under local conditions. These trials not only validate the scientific principles but also provide practical insights into the feasibility and economic viability of adopting these practices on a larger scale.

An On Farm trail (OFT) on effect of liquid organic nutrient and micronutrients on yield and quality of chilli was tested at different farmers fields under KVK Banaskantha-II Jurisdiction area. A total of 15 trials were conducted in the villages Janadi and Pratappura of Tharad Taluka during the Rabi seasons of 2021-22 to 2023–24 in a total area of 4.0 ha. The trial was conducted in Golden hot a widely cultivated hybrid of chilli with three treatments T1- Farmer Practice– Recommended fertilizer dose only, T2- Foliar spray of Novel Liquid Fertilizer 1.0 % at flowering and fruiting stage and T3 - Foliar spray of ZnSO4 @ 0.5 % thrice at 30, 40 and 50 DAT (Days after transplanting) and one Spray 19:19:19 + Mn @ 1 % at 60 DAT (Days after transplanting) in the chilli growing farmer's field. The transplanting was done at the spacing of 60 × 30 cm in the 1st week of July during all three years. The crop was supplemented with 20 MT of FYM and recommended dose of fertilizers total of 70:50:50 kg N: P2O5 : K2O per ha. Nitrogen was split into two equal doses; half of the dose was given during planting and the other half was applied at flower initiation, whereas full doses of phosphorus and potassium were applied at the time of transplanting uniformly common to all the treatments. In each trial plot, hoeing, weeding, and other intercultural operations were frequently done. The observation was taken from of 5.0 m2 area. The observation on plant height (cm), number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight (g), average fruit length (cm), yield per plant (g), estimated yield per ha (t/ha), net income (Rs.), B:C ratio were recorded. The treatments arranged as per Randomized Complete Block Design with five replications (Five farmers plot) and the data were statistically analysis as suggested by Panse and Sukhatme (1967).

Growth and yield parameter. A comparative evaluation of the treatments revealed that both T2 (foliar application of Novel Liquid Fertilizer) and T3 (foliar application of ZnSO₄ thrice at 30, 40 and 50 DAT and one Spray 19:19:19 + Mn @ 1 % at 60 DAT) significantly outperformed the conventional practice (T1: farmer practice involving only the recommended dose of fertilizers, RDF) across most growth and yield parameters. In terms of plant height, T2 recorded the maximum average height of 79.24 cm, followed by T3, while T1 showed the lowest at 63.20 cm. The enhanced vegetative growth under T2 and T3 can be attributed to the improved nutrient uptake efficiency facilitated by foliar feeding, as foliar applications allow for rapid absorption of essential nutrients Rajasekar et al. (2017) directly through the leaf cuticle Fernández et al. (2017). Moreover, zinc and manganese are known to play critical roles in enzyme activation and chlorophyll synthesis, which directly influence cell elongation and plant stature Alloway (2008). The number of fruits per plant was highest in T2 (89.15), followed by T3 (84.95), whereas T1 recorded only 73.25. This significant increase in fruit set may be due to the timely availability of micronutrients that are essential during the reproductive phase, promoting better flower retention and pollination success Fageria et al. (2011). Similar findings were reported by Angami et al. (2017); Rajendiran et al. (2024); Ahmed et al. (2024) who observed that foliar application of Zn and Mn improved flowering and fruiting in horticultural crops. In terms of fruit length, T3 achieved the highest average (8.51 cm), followed by T2 (7.93 cm), while T1 recorded the lowest (7.01 cm). Fruit weight followed a similar trend, with T3 (3.85 g) and T2 (3.64 g) significantly exceeding T1 (2.74 g). These improvements are likely a result of enhanced carbohydrate translocation and cell division facilitated by micronutrient availability during fruit development Ahmed et al. (2024). Studies have shown that foliar sprays of balanced nutrient solutions improve fruit quality parameters such as size, weight, and appearance Deore et al. (2010); Ziogas et al. (2020); Khandaker et al. (2017). 

Table 1: Performance of the technology on growth and yield attributes of chilli at farmers field.

Regarding total fruit yield T3 produced the highest yield of 163.60 q/ha, followed by T2 with 158.48 q/ha, whereas T1 yielded only 133.52 q/ha. These findings are consistent with those of Devi et al. (2013); Krishnasree et al. (2020) who demonstrated that integrated foliar application of macro- and micronutrients significantly boosts fruit yield in various crops. The higher yield observed in T2 and T3 treatments underscores the importance of foliar nutrition in supplementing soil-based fertilization, particularly in stages of peak nutrient demand when root uptake may be limited. Foliar application of novel liquid fertilizer and micronutrients (Zn, Mn) not only improved vegetative and reproductive growth but also enhanced fruit development and overall productivity.

ECONOMICS 

The economic evaluation of three fertilizer application technologies  presented in Table 2 revealed notable differences in cost-effectiveness and profitability. The traditional farmer practice (T1), which involved the use of only recommended doses of fertilizers (RDF), recorded a gross cost of ₹78,882 per hectare and generated a gross return of ₹1,73,579 per hectare, resulting in a net return of ₹94,696 and a benefit-cost (B:C) ratio of 2.20. In comparison, the foliar spray of Novel Liquid Fertilizer at 1.0% during the flowering and fruiting stages (T2) increased both cost and returns, with a gross cost of ₹87,217 per hectare and a gross return of ₹2,06,028 per hectare. This led to a higher net return of ₹1,18,811 and an improved B:C ratio of 2.36. The most profitable treatment was T3, which included three foliar sprays of ZnSO₄ at 0.5% on the 30th, 40th, and 50th day after transplanting (DAT), along with a combined spray of 19:19:19 and Mn at 1% on the 60th DAT. This treatment had the highest gross cost at ₹88,923 per hectare but also achieved the greatest gross return of ₹2,12,681 per hectare, resulting in the highest net return of ₹1,28,874 and a B:C ratio of 2.39. These findings suggest that T3 is the most economically efficient technology, offering the greatest profitability despite slightly higher input costs, followed by T2, while the traditional RDF-based practice (T1) remains the least beneficial in terms of economic returns.

Table 2: Economics of technology tested at farmer field on Chilli.

The current investigation provided the information regarding the use of micronutrient application with addition to the recommended dose of fertilizer as the study region having poor and saline soil with poor nutrient availability. The results will helpful for chilli growing farmers of Banaskantha district to get higher yield as well as higher net income and benefit cost ratio in chilli.

Pushpraj Singh, V.K. Patel and M.P. Chaudhary  (2025). Assessment of the Liquid Organic Nutrient and Micronutrients for Yield and Quality of Chilli at Farmers Field. Biological Forum, 17(6): 109-112.