Comparative Effect of Wastewater and Groundwater Irrigation Along with Nitrogenous Fertilizer on Growth, Photosynthesis and Productivity of Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

Abstract

A study was made in the net house of Plant Physiology, Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh to study the comparative effect of wastewater and groundwater along with three different rates of nitrogen (N) of 0, 30, and 60 kg ha⁻¹ on growth, physiology and yield of two varieties of chilli cv. ‘G4’ and ‘Pusa Jawala’. Wastewater irrigation resulted significant increase in shoot and root length, fresh weight, dry weight, leaf number and area, net photosynthetic rate (P_N), stomatal conductance (g_s), water use efficiency (WUE), chlorophyll content, and yield. The physio-chemical parameters of wastewater met the irrigational characteristics, being well within the permissible limit as outlined by the Food and Agriculture Organization. Among the nitrogen doses 30 kg ha⁻¹ N along with wastewater proved best for the growth and yield. Thus it may be concluded that wastewater reduced the demand of fertilizers and it may be used for the cultivation of chilli.

Keywords:

• wastewater
• nitrogen
• photosynthesis
• chlorophyll
• growth
• yield
• chilli
• cv. ‘Pusa Jawala’