Effects of Phosphorus on Growth, Yield and Yield Components of Chilli Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

A field experiment was undertaken to evaluate the effects of phosphorus on growth, yield and yield components of chilli pepper variety 'Long Slim Cayenne'. Phoshorus was applied during transplanting at the rate of 0, 20, 40 and 60 kg P/ha. The results showed that phosphorus application significantly (P < 0.05) increased plant height (28-59%), leaf area (10-11%), shoot (54-118%) and root dry matter (37-59%), number of fruit/plant (50-117), fruit length (8-9%), fruit water content and fruit yield/ha (92-178%) compared to control plants. The increase in chilli plant variables measured with increasing P application was quadratic with 40 kg P/ha giving the optimum vegetative growth, fruit length, fruit number/plant, fruit water content and fruit yield/ha. The increase in vegetative growth, yield and yield components of chilli pepper due to phosphorus application was attributed to the role of P in increasing biomass accumulation in plants by increasing interception of photo-synthetically active radiation and promoting root growth and hence increased uptake of plant mineral nutrients. However, phosphorus application significantly (P<0.05) decreased fruit dry matter content. Due to the increase in growth, yield and yield components of chilli paper due to P application, the authors concluded that under sandy loam soils, farmers should apply 40 kg P/ha at transplanting in order to optimize on chilli fruit yield.