Abstract:
wo experiments were conducted at the Horticulture Fann and Laboratory of Sher-e
Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka during the period from November 2005 to April
2006 to study the growth, yield, and quality (shelf life) of Capsicum a1111uu111 cv.
'Sungrow' as influenced by inorganic and organic fertilizers. The first experiment was
laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. The different
sources of organic fertilizers used were; poultry manure T1:30, T2:40, T3:50, T4:60 t/ha;
cowdung T5:33, T6:50, T7:66, T8:83 t/ha and inorganic fertilizer was urea: 340, TSP: I 05,
MP: 165 kg/ha. The second experiment was conducted with two temperature regimes for
determining the shelf life of fruits each having two different conditions (with wrapping
and without wrapping). The highest plant height (61.98 cm) was recorded from T~
treatment and the 2nd highest (52.52 cm) from Ts while the plant height (46.99 cm) was
recorded from inorganic fertilizer treatment. At 90 days after transplanting, the highest
stem diameter (1.61 cm) was recorded from T4 and 1.56 cm was obtained from Tx
whereas 1.29 cm was recorded from inorganic fertilizer. The highest fruit yield ( 12.9
t/ha) and the second highest ( 12.00 t/ha) were recorded from T2 and T 6. treatments
respectively. The maximum shelf life (35 days) was recorded from poultry manure
compared to that of (27 days) from cowdung and inorganic fertilizer (25 days). Maximum
shelf life (35 days) was recorded in refrigerated (8-l0°C) condition compared ( 15
days).to normal room temperature (26-30°C). Shelf life of fruit wrapping with thin
polythene paper was maximum (35 days) compared to that of non-wrapping (22 days) in
refrigerated condition. In normal room temperature condition, shelf life wasl5 days with
wrapping and I 0 days without wrapping. Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) of the treatments
varied from 1.69 to 4.34. The highest BCR (4.34) was calculated in T2 treatment. In
connection with growth, yield, shelf life and BCR; T2 treatment showed better
performance than the other treatments.
