Evaluation of bio-efficacy and phytotoxicity of humic acid and fulvic acid bio-stimulants on performance of chilli (Capsicum annum L.)

A field experiment was conducted during Summer season 2024 at A field experiment was conducted during Summer 2024 at Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station, Honnavile, Shivamogga in Red sandy loam soil which comes under Southern Transition Zone of Karnataka. The experiment was laid out in RCBD with 9 treatments replicated thrice. The treatment composed of five different doses of Humic acid + Fulvic acid based Biostimilant viz., 0, 3,5,7& 10 ml per litre of water and 2 stages of Biostimulant application viz., either at Establishment stage (7 DAT) or both Establishment and active vegetative stages (21 DAT). The variety used was Green thunder-2006. The results revealed that, a foliar application of Humic acid + Fulvic acid based Biostimulant at a concentration of 7 ml per litre in the spray solution applied during establishment stage (7 DAT) and active vegetative stage (21 DAT) can enhance total fruit yield (10.15 tonnes per ha) significantly followed by a foliar application of Biostimulant at a concentration of 5 ml per litre in the spray solution applied during establishment stage and active vegetative stage (9.84 t/ha). However they were significantly superior over Control-only water spray (8.27 t/ha) and single foliar application treatments (8.35 to 8.85 t/ha). Similarly, the above best treatment recorded higher net returns and B:C ratio.