EFFECT OF STEM PRUNING AND ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF HYDROPONIC CAPSICUM

Abstract

Stem pruning of the plants and electrical conductivity (EC) of the nutrient solution are the most important factors for producing high quality fruit of capsicum in hydroponic system. Therefore, the present research work was aimed to identify a suitable stem pruning system and optimum level of EC in the nutrient solution for capsicum production in hydroponic system. Treatments considered two factors, viz., three types of stem pruning (S 1 : No pruning; S 2 : Two branches present and S 3 : Four branches present) and four EC levels (EC 1 : 2.0 dS/m; EC 2 : 3.0 dS/m; EC 3 : 4.0 dS/m and EC 4 5.0 dS/m). The experiment was conducted in a Randomized Completely Block Design with three replications. Growth, yield and physiological parameters of capsicum were measured. In case of stem pruning, the highest plant height, number of fruit per plant, individual fruit weight, fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit yield (1406.59 g/plant), ascorbic acid and physiological traits (net assimilation ratio and relative growth rate) were found in S 2

while the lowest in S 1 . In case of EC, the highest plant height, number of fruit per plant, individual fruit weight, fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit yield (1395.39 g/plant), ascorbic acid and physiological traits (net assimilation ratio and relative growth rate) were found in EC 3 while the lowest in EC 1 . In case of Interaction effect, the highest plant height (104.83 cm), number of fruit per plant (12), individual fruit weight (190.83 g), fruit yield (2113.17 g/plant), fruit length (9.47 cm), fruit diameter (8.03 cm), fruit volume (220.70 CC), ascorbic acid content (202.03 mg/100g FW) were found in S 2 EC 3 while the lowest in S 1 EC 1 . Therefore, it can be concluded that remain two stem and electrical conductivity of 4.0 dS/m can be used for producing higher yield and high quality of capsicum in hydroponic system.