Effect of different levels of N and P fertilizers with biofertilizers on yield and nutrient uptake by chilli (Capsicum annum L.) in lateritic soils of Konkan

An investigation entitled “Effect of different levels of N and P fertilizers with biofertilizers on yield, biochemical parameters, soil properties and nutrient uptake by chilli (Capsicum annum L.), in lateritic soils of Konkan” was undertaken during Rabi season of 2016-2018 years at the Research Farm of the Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Dapoli, and Dist. Ratnagiri, Maharashtra.. The effect of different levels of N and P fertilizers with biofertilizers on yield, biochemical parameters, soil properties and nutrient uptake by chilli at different growth stages was studied. The field experiment was laid out in the factorial strip plot design, comprising of thirty six treatments replicated three times, comprising of three levels of nitrogen viz. No- N0% (0 kg N ha-1), N1- N75% (112.5 kg N ha-1) and N2- N100% (150 kg N ha-1 ) three levels of phosphorus viz. P0- P0%(0 kg P2O5 ha-1), P1 - P75% (37.5 kg P2O5 ha-1 ) and P2 - P100%(50 kg P2O5 ha-1) and four sources of bio fertilizers viz. No biofertilizer (B0), N fixer- Azotobacter chroococcum (B1), P solubilizer- Aspergillus niger (B2) and N fixer + P solubilizer (B3), with potassium @ 50 kg ha-1 and FYM @ 15 t ha-1 was applied to all the treatments. The effect of recommended doses of nitrogen and phosphorous with dual inoculation of biofertilizers increased the plant height, dry matter production, green pod yield over no application of fertilizers. Whereas uptake of major as well as micronutrients were increased due to application of recommended dose of N and P fertilizers with inoculation of both biofertilizers.