EFFECT OF AGE TRANSPLANTING ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF CHILLI (Capsicum Annuum L.) UNDER OPEN FIELD FERTIGATION SYSTEM.

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Horticultural Research Centre of the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) in Serdang, Selangor, between May 18th and August 11th, 2022, for a period of 13 weeks. The study aimed to investigate the effect of age transplanting at weeks 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 on the growth and yield of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) under an open-field fertigation system. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. The results revealed that age transplanting at week 10 had a significant effect on plant height. Weeks 5 and 6 of age transplanting exhibited the highest values for relative chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence, and the number of days required for flowering, fruiting, and harvesting. Additionally, the weight, length, and diameter of fruits, as well as the number and weight of fruits per plant, were influenced by the age of transplanting, with the most favourable outcomes observed in plants transplanted at week 5. In conclusion, the study suggests that the optimal age for transplanting chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) under an open-field fertigation system is between weeks 5 and 6 to achieve optimum performance.