Bharad, Dr. S. G.NANDESHWAR, VIKKI NARENDRA.2024-01-112024-01-112019-12-16NANDESHWAR VIKKI NARENDRA. (2019). Effect of planting geometry and fertigation levels on growth, yield and quality of chilli. Department of Horticulture (Vegetable Science). Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola. Ph. D. 2019. Print. xvii, 259p. (Unpublished).https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810206178The present study entitled “Effect of planting geometry and fertigation levels on growth, yield and quality of chilli” was carried at University Department of Horticulture, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, during the year 2014-15 and 2015-16. The experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design with nine treatment combination and each treatment was replicated thrice. The treatments comprised of three planting geometry (S) viz., S1 (90 cm x 90 cm), S2 (90 cm x 60 cm) and S3 (90 cm x 45 cm) and three fertigation levels (F) viz., F1 (RDF @ 150:50:50 NPK kg ha-1 through soil application), F2 (100% RDF through fertigation) and F3 (80% RDF through fertigation). An observation recorded in respect of plant growth, yield and yield attributing, biochemical parameters, available soil nutrient status, uptake of nutrients, fertilizer use efficiency, pests and disease incidence and economics of the treatments. Amongst the different planting geometry, the treatment S3 (90 cm × 45 cm) was found to be the best treatment in respect to maximum increased the growth parameters viz., plant height, stem diameter, plant spread and leaf area. Similarly, the same treatment was found best in respect of yield and yield contributing and quality parameters viz., fruit length, diameter of fruit, number of fruits per plant, average fresh weight of fruit per plant (g), green and dry fruits yield per plant (kg), yield (q ha-1), ascorbic acid, chlorophyll and crude protein contents. The fertigation level F3 (80% RDF through fertigation) was found to be the best treatment in respect to maximum increased the growth parameters viz., plant height, stem diameter, plant spread and leaf area. The yield and yield contributing characters viz., fruit length, diameter of fruit, number of fruits per plant, average fresh weight of fruit per plant (g), green and dry fruits yield per plant (kg) and yield (q ha-1) was achieved maximum by the application of 80% RDF through fertigation. Similarly, the quality parameters viz., ascorbic acid, chlorophyll and crude protein content were also found maximum in same treatment. Interaction effect of planting geometry and fertigation levels, the treatment combination S3F3 (90 cm × 45 cm + 80% RDF through fertigation) was found superior for obtaining maximum yield and better quality of chilli with higher net monetary returns and benefit cost ratio. The highest uptake of nutrients viz., nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and maximum fertilizer use efficiency was recorded at spacing 90 cm × 45 cm along with the application of 80% RDF through fertigation (S3F3). The interaction effect between planting geometry and fertigation levels i.e., S3 F3 (90 cm × 45 cm + 80% RDF through fertigation) was found superior for obtaining maximum growth, yield and better quality of chilli with higher net monetary returns and benefit cost ratio.EnglishThesis