Response of Humic acid on soil properties and yield parameters of Chilli (Capsicum annum L.)

The present investigation entitled “Response of humic acid on soil properties and yield parameters of chilli (Capsicum annum L.)” was carried out at Horticulture Research Cum Instructional Farm, BTC College of Agriculture and Research Station, Bilaspur (C.G) during rabi season of 2024-25. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design with three replications. The treatments consisted of nine nutrient management practices viz., control (T₁), 100% RDF (120:80:60 kg ha^-1) (T₂), 75% RDF (T₃), 75% RDF + 10 kg ha^-1 HA (T₄), 50% RDF + 10 kg ha^-1 HA (T₅), 75% RDF + 15 kg ha^-1 HA (T₆), 50% RDF + 15 kg ha^-1 HA (T₇), 75% RDF + 20 kg ha^-1 HA (T₈) and 50% RDF + 20 kg ha^-1 HA (T₉). The present study indicated that significantly highest fresh weight of fruit (419.09 g plant^-1) was recorded under the treatment (T₈) 75% RDF + 20 kg ha^-1 HA. This treatment was statistically at par with (T₂) 100% RDF (120:80:60 kg ha^-1), which was also comparable to (T₉) 50% RDF + 20 kg ha^-1 HA, (T₆) 75% RDF + 15 kg ha^-1 HA and (T₇) 50% RDF + 15 kg ha^-1 HA. The growth parameters like plant height, number of branches and yield parameters like fruit length (7.94 cm), fruit width (0.94 cm) and number of fruits (145.06 plant^-1) were recorded highest in the treatment (T₈) 75% RDF + 20 kg ha^-1 HA. While minimum under (T₁) control. Significantly the highest nitrogen content in fruit and Non-significant the highest nutrient content (P and K) in fruit and shoot was estimated under treatment (T₈) 75% RDF + 20 kg ha^-1 HA and significantly the maximum nutrient uptake by chilli fruit (0.95 N g plant^-1) (0.22 P g plant^-1) and (1.19 K g plant^-1) was estimated under (T₈) 75% RDF + 20 kg ha^-1 HA. The data showed that there were no significant differences in EC, pH, organic carbon, particle density, bulk density and porosity of soil status after harvest of crop. Data presented significantly highest water holding capacity and cation exchange capacity under (T₈) 75% RDF + 20 kg ha^-1 HA. Significantly the highest available N, P₂O₅ and K₂O were recorded under (T₈) 75% RDF + 20 kg ha^-1 HA. Biological properties of soil viz., Azatobactor, PSB and KMB population significantly recorded highest under the treatment (T₈) 75% RDF + 20 kg ha^-1 HA. We can suggest that the soil application of humic acid @ 20 kg ha^-1 with 75% RDF is significantly give best results on growth and fruit yield of chilli.