EFFECT OF DIFFERENT PRUNING METHODS IN TWO VARIETIES OF CHILLI PEPPER ON GROWTH AND YIELD TRAITS IN LAMJUNG, NEPAL
ABSTRACT
The use of subpar yielding varieties and a lack of knowledge about cultural practices are two of the major reasons for lower chili yields in Lamjung. A study was conducted in the farmer’s field in Beshishar-08, Danaifat, Lamjung district, from March to June to determine the effect of different pruning methods on the growth and yield performance of two chilli varieties: NS 1701 (V1) and Karma 747 (V2). Four different pruning methods, encompassing control (P0), shoot pruning (P1), root pruning (P2), and a combination of shoot pruning and root pruning (P3), were used for each variety and replicated four times in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) layout. Four vegetative growth parameters, three floral parameters, and three yield parameters were recorded and evaluated. The results indicated that pruning methods and varieties significantly influenced growth and yield parameters. Pruning significantly impacted plant growth and yield. The P3 treatment resulted in the highest number of flowers per plant (85.00), fruits per plant (60.45), fruit length (9.29 cm), stem diameter (1.148 cm), and yield (11.51 t/ha). In contrast, the P0 treatment had the tallest plants (104.57 cm), the longest time to first flower (52.42 days), and the longest time to 50% flowering (58.73 days). P3 also had the highest number of leaves (198.46), primary branches (13.97), secondary branches (24.13), and tertiary branches (31.47), while P2 had the least. Regarding varieties, V1 had the tallest plants (93.86 cm), most leaves per plant (141.77), most fruits harvested per plant (48.83), thickest stem diameter (1.131 cm), longest time to first flowering (51.83 days), longest time to 50% flowering (56.85 days), and highest yield (10.50 t/ha). V2 had the lowest values for these parameters. The interaction effect showed V1P3 had the highest number of flowers (100.05), fruits harvested per plant (71.15), secondary branches (29.65), and yield (14.65 t/ha). V2P3 had the most tertiary branches (38.91) and leaves per plant (234.83). Thus, ‘NS 1701’ with shoot and root pruning gave the best yield.