ABSTRACT
Maximization of crop yields requires combination of an optimum genotype with an optimum environment. The productivity of a particular crop in an area depends on the overall environment [3]. Polyhouse farming, also known as protected cultivation, is one of the farming systems widely used to provide and maintain a controlled environment suitable for optimum crop production. This technology is a breakthrough in agricultural production technology that integrates market driven quality parameters with production system profits [1]. In addition to this, polyhouse technology can contribute to solve global issues such as the shortage of artificial energy, water, environmental problems and instability of ecological system in various ways. In north India, Capsicum is very popular crop for production in polyhouse, because in open field, fruit yield and quality is poor due to very low temperature during the winter season, when it is grown [5, 13]. This crop is chilling sensitive and cannot tolerate extended periods of temperature below 10°C, the mean growing temperature of the crop is range from 18-30°C. Irena [7] reported that under plastic covered greenhouse the night temperature was favorable for the development of capsicum fruit. The night temperature of 18-20°C before anthesis and 8-10°C after anthesis recorded the maximum fruit set. Water is another important input for poly house Capsicum crop because irrigation is the only source for application of water to the Capsicum plants in polyhouse. Several efforts have been made to use irrigation water as efficient as possible under protected cultivation system. The use of drip irrigation and fertigation saves water, fertilizer and gives better plant yield and quality as it reduces the humidity build up inside the polyhouse after irrigation due to precise application of irrigation water to the root zone of the crop [12]. In polyhouse, Capsicum due to indeterminate nature of crop, vegetative and reproductive stage overlaps and the plant needs nutrients even up to fruit maturity, so, fertilizer application method such as fertigation may be very effective in polyhouse Capsicum. Further,
fertilizer costs and nitrate losses can be reduced and nutrient applications can be better timed to plant’s needs. A limited research has been done on drip irrigation and fertigation on Capsicum grown in low cost naturally ventilated polyhouse [12].
