H.T.ChannalG.V.Gangamurtha2016-10-282016-10-282008http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/82701A field experiment was conducted at Main Agricultural Research Station, UAS, Dharwad during kharif 2007 in a Vertisol to study the effect of copper nutrition on yield and quality of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.). There were 11 treatments in randomized block design with three replications. The treatment receiving combined application of CuCl2 at 2.5 kg ha-1 through soil and 0.25 per cent foliar spray recorded the significantly higher plant height number of branches and dry matter production with higher dry fruit yield (10.38 q ha-1). Further, with increase in dose of foliar spray of CuCl2 alone or along with soil application did not significantly influence the dry fruit yield. The number of fruits per plant, flower drop (252) and weight of 100 dry fruits also followed the same trend. Combined application of CuCl2 at 2.5 kg ha-1 through soil and 0.25 per cent foliar spray significantly increased the ascorbic acid content in green chilli fruits (170.72 mg 100 g- 1), oleoresin content (16.56%) and total extractable colour (239.09 ASTA units) in red chilli fruits which were significantly higher than other treatments. The significantly lower per cent discoloured fruits (5.52%), anthracnose affected fruits (4.32%) and murda complex (8.23%) were recorded in the treatment receiving combined application of CuCl2 at 2.5 kg ha-1 through soil and 0.25 per cent foliar spray over the treatment receiving RDF alone. Higher concentration of N, P and K in chilli fruits were noticed in the treatment receiving combined application of CuCl2 at 2.5 kg ha-1 through soil and 0.25 per cent foliar spray. Uptake of major and micronutrients also followed the same trend. Economic analysis indicated that application of CuCl2 at 2.5 kg ha-1 through soil and 0.25 per cent foliar spray resulted in highest gross returns, net returns and benefit : cost ratio.Soil Science And Agricultural ChemistryThesis