Authors
Info
R.K. Singh1, S. Acharya1*
and O.P. Chaurasia2
1Department of Soil
Science,
Defence Institute of High Altitude
Research (DIHAR), DRDO,
Leh-Ladakh-194101, India
2Defence Institute
of High Altitude Research (DIHAR), DRDO,
Leh-Ladakh-194101, India
*Corresponding
Author Email :
someniari@gmail.com
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Abstract
Aim: The study aimed to
evaluate the effects of hydrogel application on growth, physiological
responses and yield of capsicum under high altitude cold desert conditions
with deficit irrigation of Ladakh region.
Methodology: Field experiment
was conducted with five levels of hydrogel treatment (viz. 0, 5, 10, 15 and
20 kg ha-1) at cold desert Ladakh region with two irrigation intervals (7 and
11 days) during 2014-15 cropping season. Plant growth characters, root
morphology, physiological parameters and capsicum yield were analyzed
according to standard methods during the experiments.???
Results: Hydrogel
application in deficit irrigation improved physiological parameters viz. leaf
chlorophyll content, relative water content, membrane stability index and
significant reduction in electrolyte leakage in capsicum plant. Significant
improvement in root morphology was also recorded when hydrogel was applied @
15 and 20 kg ha-1. Improvement of yield attributing characters as
influenced by hydrogel application @ 15 and 20 kg ha-1 resulted in
significant increase in capsicum yield with reduced water requirement. ?
Interpretation: Hydrogel has
potential for growth of capsicum crop through improved root morphology and
physiology of plant in deficit irrigation under arid and semi-arid regions
where availability of water for irrigation is scarce or average rainfall is
quite low.
Key words: Capsicum, Cold arid, Hydrogel, Physiological responses,
Root morphology
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