Author(s): A. KUMAR AND S. S. RANA

Abstract: To find out optimum crop geometry and nitrogen in bell pepper under high altitude dry temperate climate of western Himalayas, three levels of nitrogen (N1-100, N2-125 and N3-150 kg N.ha-1) and two of spacing (S1-45 × 45 cm and S2-60 × 45 cm) were evaluated at Kukumseri during the summer seasons of 2011 and 2012. Higher number of branches per plant was obtained at 60 × 45 cm (S2). The crop took 3 and 4 days more to flowering and fruiting at wider spacing of 60 × 45 cm (S2). Fruit length (4.67 cm), fruit width (4.50 cm), fruits plant-1 (8.51), fruit weight (28.21 g) and fruit weight plant-1 (212.77g) were higher at 60 × 45 cm (S2) spacing. The total yield was significantly higher at closer spacing of 45 × 45 cm (S1) during 2012 only. However during 2011 and averaged over years the yield did not differ significantly between crop geometry of 45 × 45 cm (S1) and 60 × 45 cm (S2). Net returns were Indian Net Rupees (INR) 4487 more with 60 × 45 cm (S2) crop geometry compared to 45 × 45 cm (S1). B:C was also higher under wider spacing than closer spacing. Increasing level of nitrogen from recommended to 150 per cent of recommended significantly increased the number of days taken to 50% flowering and fruiting. Fruit length (4.63 cm), fruit width (4.62 cm), number of fruits plant-1 (9.05), fruit weight (28.71g), fruit weight plant-1 (215.53 g) were highest at 150% of recommended N (N3) followed by 125% N (N2). The net returns increased by rupee 31,154 and rupee 14,889 with application of 150 (N3) and 125% N (N2), respectively over present recommended N application (N1-100 kg N, 60 kg each of P2O5 and K2O). B:C also increased with increase in N dose.

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