EFFECT OF N- FIXING BIOFERTILIZERS ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF CHILLI (CAPSICUM ANNUUM L.)

Abstract

To study the effect of inoculation of two nitrogen fixing bacteria culture viz., Azotobacter and Azospirillum with different levels of N (50%, 75% and 100%) in chilli cv. Arka Suphal, an experiment was conducted in the gangetic alluvial plains of West Bengal with sandy loam soil and neutral pH (6.8). Recommended dose of NPK @ 90:60:50 kg/ha and biofertilizer culture @ 500g/ha were applied. Results showed that the inoculation with Azospirillum +75% N alongwith P & K recorded maximum fruit yield (10.25 t/ha), number of fruits/plant (80.20), fruit length (6.72 cm) and oleoresin content (19.80 %). All the growth characters like plant height (62.75 cm) and number of branches/plant (25.15) was found highest with Azospirillum +100% N + PK, which were at par with Azotobacter + 100% N + PK. All the treatments were found superior over control (recommended dose of NPK only). Considering the cost:benefit ratio and yield of the crop, Azospirillum was considered better over Azotobacter.