Effect of automated sensor-driven irrigation and fertigation on green pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) growth, phenology, quality and production

• Published in: Scientia horticulturae Vol. 334; p. 113306
• Main Authors: Ningoji, Santosh Nagappa, Thimmegowda, M.N., Mudalagiriyappa, Vasanthi, B.G., Shivaramu, H.S., Hegde, Mahabaleshwar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.08.2024
• Subjects: Correlation; Phenology; Regression, Resource use efficiency; Water harvesting; Regression, Resource use efficiency; Correlation; Water harvesting; Phenology
• ISSN: 0304-4238
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2024.113306

•The study optimized the irrigation regime and fertigation level for green house pepper cultivation.•Optimized irrigation and fertigation combination improved quality, yield and resource use efficiency of pepper.•Independent variables revealed strong positive correlation with fruit yield of pepper.•Water requirement of pepper cultivation for two seasons was completely met by rain water harvesting. This research aimed to optimize green pepper cultivation with automated sensor-based irrigation and fertigation, supplemented by roof water harvesting under protected cultivation. The findings demonstrated that employing a sensor-based irrigation regimen at 75 % available soil moisture (ASM) coupled with 125 % of the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) significantly improved both the growth and yield characteristics of pepper. This combination notably improved yield attributing parameters as well as total fruit yield (60,089 kg ha−1). Also, the resource use efficiency metrics viz., water use efficiency (16.75 kg m−3), energy productivity (0.80 kg MJ−1), nutrient use efficiency (79.5 kg kg−1) and benefit-cost ratio of 2.07, indicated superiority. Correlation between yield and variables viz., individual fruit weight (r = 0.98), number of fruits per plant (r = 0.96), total dry matter accumulation (r = 0.96), and fruit volume (r = 0.94) found positive at 1 % probability, displaying the strongest associations. Growth variables such as dry matter of leaves (R2=0.927), individual fruit weight (R2=0.922), and fruit volume (R2=0.847) at P ≤ 0.0001 contributed significantly to the yield. Remarkably, during the year 2020, the system collected 774 m3 of water, satisfying 100 % of the green pepper's water requirement for two seasons.