~ 4250 ~ Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2019; 8(3): 4250-4252 E-ISSN: 2278-4136 P-ISSN: 2349-8234 JPP 2019; 8(3): 4250-4252 Received: 16-03-2019 Accepted: 18-04-2019 Yugalkishor Lodhi Department of Vegetable Science, Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan, West Bengal, India Snehasish Chakravorty Department of Vegetable Science, Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan, West Bengal, India BVG Prasad Department of Vegetable Science, Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan, West Bengal, India Sangeeta Chandrakar Department of Fruit Science, Indira Gandhi Krishi Viswa- Vidyalaya, Krishak Nagar, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India Correspondence Yugalkishor Lodhi Department of Vegetable Science, Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan, West Bengal, India Effect of nutrient levels and mulching materials on yield of bell pepper ( Capsicum annum L.) under West Bengal condition Yugalkishor Lodhi, Snehasish Chakravorty, BVG Prasad and Sangeeta Chandrakar Abstract The field experiment was conducted to study the effect of nutrients and mulching on fruit yield of Bell pepper at Horticulture farm, Institute of Agriculture, Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan (West Bengal) during rabi season 2014-15. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD) consisting of nine treatments. The treatment comprising of different combinations of nutrients and mulches i.e. Nitrogen (150Kg ha -1 and 200 Kg ha -1 ), Phosphorous (80 Kg ha -1 and 120 Kg ha -1 ) and mulches (Paddy straw and water hyacinth each @ 7zt ha -1 ) with three replications. The statistical analysis indicated that the fruit yield of bell pepper were significantly influenced by nutrients and mulching. The highest fruit yield per plant (739.31g), fruit yield per plot (12.67 kg) and fruit yield per hectare (21.12 t ha -1 ) were recorded in treatment T6 with 200kg N ha -1 + 80kg P₂O₅ ha -1 + Paddy straw mulch @ 7 t/ha -1 . Control condition indicated significantly lowest result than all other treatment. Considering the maximum benefit in terms of yield and economy, the treatment comprising of 200 kg N ha -1 , 120 kg P2 O5 ha -1 and paddy straw mulch @ 7 t ha -1 (T6) was found to be the best under present experiment condition. Keywords: Nutrients, mulching, bell pepper Introduction Bell pepper also known as Bell pepper or Sweet pepper or Green pepper or Shimla mirch is one of the popular solanaceous vegetable crops cultivated in most parts of the world, especially in temperate regions of Central and South America and European countries, tropical and sub-tropical regions of Asian continent mainly in India and China. India contributes one fourth of world production of Bell pepper with an average annual production of 0.9 million tons from an area of 0.885 million hectare with a productivity of 1266 kg per hectare from open as well as protected cultivation (Anonymous, 2005) [2] . It is extensively cultivated in hills of Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Nilgiri hills during summer months. As an autumn crop, it extends up to winter months in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh (NHB, 2012-13). Bell pepper can be consumed either by cooking or raw. The leaves are also consumed as salad, soups or eaten with rice (Lovelook, 1973) [7] . It was also used as folk medicine for black vomit, tome for gout and paralysis in Shimla hills. Nutritive value of sweet pepper is also very good as it is rich in vitamin A (3131IU), vitamin C (283 mg), protein (1.29 mg) and minerals like calcium (13.4mg), magnesium (14.9mg), phosphorus (28.3mg), potassium (263.0 mg) per 100 g of fresh weight. (Arya, P.S., 1999 and IIHR, 2000) [3] . Application of nutrients to support the crop plants for optimum production is well established through various research programmes, especially for the macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Crucial role of nitrogen for being main constituent of all amino acids in proteins and lipids, the structural compounds of cells and chloroplast made it the most essential macronutrient for good plant establishment and expected growth (Uddin and Khalequzzaman, 2003) [15] . Therefore, its deficiency shows negative impact on growth and development of plants which is ultimately reflected in reduced yield. Reports of various investigations indicated its significant role for application stimulating the plants for uptake of potassium and phosphorus through its synergistic effect (Qawasmi et al., 1999) [11] . Bell pepper requires heavy nitrogen application for higher yield as it imparts good vegetative growth necessary for good development of fruit. Phosphorus (P) is another important macronutrient vital for plant growth as it is involved in several key plant cellular activities like energy transfer, photosynthesis, transformation of sugars and starches and transfer of genetic characteristics from one generation to the next. It also promotes root proliferation that