GROWTH AND YIELD OF PEPPER (Capsicum annuum L. ) AS INFLUENCED BY NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS LEVELS AND PLANT DENSITY
GROWTH AND YIELD OF PEPPER (Capsicum annuum L. ) AS INFLUENCED BY NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS LEVELS AND PLANT DENSITY
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Date
1994-08
Authors
ALIYU, Lamido
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Abstract
Field trials were carried out at Samaru during the rainy
seasons of 1991 to 1993 to study the effect of levels of
nitrogen (0,80,160,240, and 320KgN/ha) phosphorous (0,22 and
44KgP/ha); and plant density (20,000; 40,000 and 60,000
plants/ha) on the growth and yield of pepper (Capsicum annuum
L.).
The results showed significant differences in partitioned
aerial phytomass, leaf area, LAI, RGR and NAR due to the
various nitrogen levels. Application of nitrogen similarly
affected the concentrations of N, P and K in the shoot, the
uptake of N and Ca. LAR, concentrations of Ca, Mg in both
shoot and fruit as well as the uptake of Mg were not
significantly influenced by nitrogen fertilization. N
addition up to 160KgN/ha resulted in early flowering and
maturity while fruit size was increased up to 320Kg N/ha.
Pooled data revealed that maximum fruit yield was obtainable
with 240KgN/ha whilst seed yield was maximized at 320kgN/ha.
Applied phosphorus affected partitioned aerial phytomass
compared with the control but without any significant
difference between the two phosphorus rates. RGR and LAI were
increased up to 22 and 44Kg P/ha respectively, LAR and
NAR were hot affected by P levels. Maximum concentration of N
in both shoot and fruit were attained at 22KgP/ha. The rate
also resulted in the lowest concentration of P and K. Neither
the concentration of Ca and Mg in the shoot nor in the fruit
were affeced by applied P. Both flowering and maturity were
hastened with P addition. Fruit size was generally not
influenced by applied P.
Transplanting at the density of 20,000 plants/ha yielded
superior partitioned aerial phytomoss and LAR compared with
60,000 plants/ha LAI, RGR and NAR were however increased with
increasing plant density up to 60,000 plants/ha. Flowering,
fruit maturity and size were not significantly affected by the
three densities tested. Inspite of the fact that fruit and
seed yield/plant were depressed by high population densities,
yield/ha was increased significantly at higher densities.
Significant interactions between the factors were
recorded on some of the parameters studied.
Regression analysis indicated optimum N concentration in
shoot at a range of 130-270KgN/ha. P concentration in shoot
showed a quadratic response to N and P levels.
Result of correlations and path analysis showed positive
and highly significant association between yield and virtually
all other' parameters tested. Indirect contribution of most
characters to yield was greatest through total dry weight,
number and diameter of fruits and seed yield.
Using regression constants, cost and returns of inputs
and output, optimum levels of nutrients were found to be
140KgN/ha, 25KgP/ha for fruit production and 202KgN/ha,
20KgP/ha for seed production while the plant density of 60,000
plants/ha was optimum for both fruit and seed yield.
Description
A dissertation Submitted to the Post-graduate School,
Ahmadu Bello University in Partial Fulfilment, of the
Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
in Agronorny
Department of Agronomy,
Faculty of Agriculture,
Ahmadu Bello University,
Zaria, Nigeria.
August, 1994
Keywords
(Capsicum annuum L. ),, NITROGEN,, PHOSPHORUS LEVELS,, PLANT DENSITY