Effects of rate and frequency of fertilizer application for chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) on peat

A. C. Leong and H. Salbiah

Abstract

Chilli is the second most popular fruit vegetable grown in Malaysia. There is a constant demand for fresh chilli, both in the local and export market. The use of reflective plastic mulch to cover the raised planting beds is commonly practised by local farmers when cultivating chilli in the open field. However, the rate and frequency of fertilizer application are still the same as planting of chilli without plastic mulch. Therefore, there is a need to review the rates and frequency of fertilizer application under the present cultivation system. Three fertilizer rates and application frequencies were evaluated using MARDI’s cultivar MC 4. The replicated 3 x 3 factorial experiment was laid out in a RCB design on drained oligotrophic peat in MARDI Research Station, Klang in 1993 and 1994. No significant yield and marketable fruit differences were detected between fertilizer application at the current recommended rate (RR) and at 75% RR, but both treatments-yielded significantly higher than the treatment at 50% RR. Fertilizer rate at 75% RR can be recommended for chilli planted under plastic mulch. This meant a 25% reduction in fertilizer application, implying a ‘similar’ amount of reduction in water pollution by leached fertilizers. Fertilizer applied once only, as basal application, is sufficient for chilli planted under plastic mulch. There is no need for split fertilizer applications. A saving of RM421/ha was estimated in chilli cultivation using plastic mulch with fertilizer application at 75% RR, applied only as a basal application. The composite foliar analysis of %N, %P and %K reconfirmed that 75% RR in one fertilizer application is sufficient.

Full Text (32 KB)