Fertigation Methods and N Source on Chili through Drip Irrigation

Abstract

Chili (Capsicum frutescens L.) has an important role in Indonesian cuisine. Conventional crop management with less-efficient fertilizer application was still commonly implemented by farmers; on the other hand, fertilizer application through fertilizer will increase yield and reduce production costs. Research objectives were to find out the best fertilizer application methods through drip irrigation and obtain a nitrogen fertilizer source that can increase polyethylene mulched chili yield. This research was conducted in Inceptisol (Dytropept Fluventik, Isohiperthermik) soil type. The experiment was conducted at Bogor Agricultural University Research Station, Cikarawang, from June to December 2016. The first experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three methods of fertilizer applications: split, drip, and conventional (no fertigation). The second experiment, from March to October 2017, was arranged in RCBD, with three N sources (Urea (46% N), ZA (21% N), and NPK (16-16-16)% N-P2O5,-K2O), with four replications. Results showed that split and drip fertigations had no different effect on total and marketable yield; however, the yields of both treatments were higher than that of conventional applications. The second experiment results showed that all N sources did not affect the growth and yield of chili.Keywords: fertilization, nitrogen, micro-irrigation, polyethylene mulch