EFFECT OF PINCHING METHODS ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF CAPSICUM AT CHAPAGAUN, LALITPUR
ABSTRACT
A study on “Effect of pinching methods on growth and yield of Capsicum at Chapagaun, Lalitpur” was conducted at Godawari Municipality, Lalitpur from March to June, 2024. Pinching, a horticultural practice involving the removal of the apical bud, has been widely studied to enhance branching and the study was conducted to identify their effects in growth and yield of capsicum under Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications of seven treatments i.e. Pinching at 30 DAT, Pinching at 35 DAT, Pinching at 40 DAT, Pinching at 30 and 40 DAT, Pinching at 45 DAT, Pinching at 30 and 45 DAT and Control. The observations were recorded for various floral parameters and growth yield parameters. The highest plant height was observed in pinching treatment at 30 and 45 DAT in 10 and 20 days after pinching while in 30, 40 and 50 days it was observed in 30 and 40 DAT. While the shortest plant height was recorded in treatment pinching at 30 DAT. The experimental findings shows that the number of leaves per plant was significant only at 10 and 20 days after pinching. Similarly, the highest number of branches was recorded from the pinching performed at 30 and 45 DAT. The highest plant height was found at Control where pinching was not performed. The highest fruit diameter was found in pinching at 30 and 45 DAT (4.95) whereas, the highest fruit length was observed in same treatment which was (7.17). In case of floral parameters, the capsicum with the treatment 40 DAT and 45 DAT flower earlier than the other. The experimental findings on yield per sample plant and plot both was observed highest in pinching at 30 and 45 DAT among the seven treatments. Yield was obtained highest from pinching at 30 and 45 DAT i.e. 6.93 mt/ha. An enhanced branching and more compact growth habit were the outcomes of pinching, which had significantly influences plant architecture, according to preliminary findings. The results of this study suggest that horticultural practices such as targeted pinching can be beneficial in enhancing the yield of capsicum.