STUDY OF DIFFERENT ORGANIC MANURE COMBINATION ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF CHILLI (CAPSICUM ANNUUM L.) G. Chandramohan Reddy 1 *, V. Venkatachalapathi 2 , G. Purna Dattha Reddy 3 and S.S. Hebbar 4 1* Department of Spices, Plantation, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops, College of Horticulture, U.H.S. Campus, G.K.V.K. Post, Bengalore (Karnataka), India. 2,4 Division of Vegetable Crops, Indian Institute of Horticulture Research, Hessaraghatta, Bangalore (Karnataka), India. 3 Department of Vegetable Science College of Horticulture, Anantharajupeta, Dr. Y. S. R. Horticultural University (Andhra Pradesh), India. Abstract Increase in application of inorganic fertilizers in agriculture has detoriated the soil quality. Vermicompost as a soil conditioner has been emerging as a potential end use for maintaining soil productivity. The paper examines the effect of vermicompost, cowdung and different organic manures combination on the growth and yield characteristics of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.). After investigation, it was found that the application of vermicompost and farmyard manure recorded significantly higher growth and yield characters than other treatments. In overall investigations, the obtained results specified that the application of vermicompost show promising results in the cultivation of chilli and better for obtaining the higher growth and yields of chilli and further the cow dung and leaf manure shows good growth and high yield of chilli crop. Key words : Vermicompost, chilli, organic manures, yield. Introduction Organic agriculture is one among the longest spectrum in production methods that are supportive of the environment. Application of inorganic fertilizer to agriculture is now common practice, using composts derived from various green wastes in agriculture is tardily coming back. Compost contains variable amounts of N, P and K and it is a valuable source of plant nutrients. Cost of inorganic fertilizers is very high and sometimes it is not available in the market right time it leads to the farmers fail to apply the inorganic fertilizers to the crop field in optimum time. On the other hand, the organic manure is easily available to the farmers and its cost is low compared to that of inorganic fertilizers. Most often this new type of technology (organic agriculture) is defined as a system for maintenance of the natural fertility of the soil, biological diversity of the species and the ecological balance of the environment. Application of vermicompost produced by biodegradable waste could be one of the most economical and attractive methods of solving the problems like waste disposal and the requirement to increase the organic matter content of soil. In the present study soil analysis was done prior to the experiment to determine the availability of nutrients in the soil and also to calculate the equivalent amount of organic or chemical fertilizer requirement of soil nutrients. Chilli is an important crop used as both green vegetable and spices. It’s rich source of vitamin A, C and E. The pungency in chilli is due to an alkaloid capsaicin. This has high medicinal value specially anti- cancerous and instant pain relief. In India major chilli growing states are Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Rajasthan, etc. With the indiscriminate use of fertilizers and chemicals there is increased risk of health hazards. Since, vegetables are mostly consumed fresh or partially cooked they should be devoid of residues of chemical fertilizers. Besides, continuous use of chemical fertilizers has resulted in the depletion of soil health. For all these reasons, now much importance is being given to Integrated Nutrient Management (INM). Chilli crop respond well to the application of both organic manures and inorganic fertilizers. Organic manures supply the major nutrients minerals and improve many soil properties and soil health Plant Archives Vol. 17 No. 1, 2017 pp. 472-474 ISSN 0972-5210 *Author for correspondence : E-mail: reddyhorti96@gmail.com