Effects of "Newly modified Panchagavya" on Growth, Yield and Pest Incidence of Capsicum annuum in Open Field Cultivation

Abstract

The Panchagavya is an organic product derived from five products obtaining from cow and it can be modified by adding dry yeast to accelerate the fermentation process. The study was aimed to evaluate the effect of 'Newly Modified Panchgavya' (NMP) on growth, yield and pest incidence of Capsicum annum in an open field condition. This experiment was carried out using Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates each contain 25 plants in open field in Bandarawela. The water (control), 3% NMP, 5% NMP and neem seed kernel extract were applied as treatments and data collected at weekly intervals. According to the study, NMP contains 2.76% N, 0.25% P, 2.41% K, 0.22% Mg, 0.0027% Fe and 0.003% ppm Cu. The application of 5% NMP showed significant (P<0.05) increment in number of leaves per plant from three weeks to eight weeks after planting. There was a significant (P<0.05) increment in plant height and yield compared to the control in plants treated with 5% NMP. The number of pest damaged leaves compared to the total numbers of leaves was lower in plants treated with 5% NMP. Thus, the study revealed that 5% NMP is applicable as an organic product to increase growth and yield while reducing pest damage for C. annum.