EFFECT OF MULCH MATERIALS AND FOLIAR APPLICATION OF MICRONUTRIENTS ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF SWEET PEPPER UNDER NET HOUSE

Abstract

The experiment was carried out at the “Horticulture Farm” of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh during November 2020 to April 2021 to study the effect of different mulch materials and foliar application of micronutrients on growth and yield of sweet pepper under net house. The experiment consisted of two factors. Factor A: Three mulch materials viz., M 0 ii - No mulch (control), M 2 - Black polyethylene mulch and M 2 - Rice straw mulch and Factor B: Three foliar application of micronutrients viz., N 0 - control (No micronutrients), N 1 - Zn @0.6% as ZnSO 4 - B @0.6% as H 3 BO 3 . The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Data were recorded on growth, yield components, yield and quality of sweet pepper and significant variation was observed for most of the studied characters. Under this investigation, it was revealed that the highest fruit yield (63.00 t/ha) with net return (Tk. 1,458,860) and benefit cost ratio (BCR) was obtained (4.67) from M 2 N 2 (Rice straw mulch + B @0.6% as H 3 ) treatment combination. On the other hand, the lowest fruit yield (24.50 t/ha) with net return (Tk. 377,364) and benefit cost ratio (BCR) was obtained (2.05) from M 0

(control) treatment combination. So, economic analysis revealed that the M 2

treatment combination appeared to be best for achieving the higher growth, fruit yield and economic benefit of sweet pepper.