Summary
This field study investigated optimal water and nutrient management strategies for drip-irrigated capsicum in Punjab's water-scarce sub-tropical region. Results demonstrated that moderate deficit irrigation at 90% of Irrigation Water Requirement, combined with nitrogen fertigation at 90% of the Recommended Dose, maximised both yield and fruit quality whilst improving water and nutrient use efficiency. The findings suggest practical resource-conservation strategies for capsicum cultivation in water-constrained agricultural environments.
Regional applicability
This research is directly applicable to irrigated horticultural systems in semi-arid and water-stressed regions globally, including parts of southern and eastern England and irrigated areas of the United Kingdom where similar drip-irrigation technologies and deficit-irrigation strategies are increasingly adopted. The study's emphasis on water productivity and nitrogen use efficiency aligns with current UK and EU policy priorities on sustainable intensification and water stewardship.
Key measures
Plant height, number of branches per plant, average fruit weight, number of fruits per plant, total yield, irrigation water productivity (IWP), fertilizer nitrogen use efficiency (NUEf), fruit length, flesh thickness, total phenolic content
Outcomes reported
The study measured effects of combined irrigation (80–100% of Irrigation Water Requirement) and nitrogen fertigation (80–100% of Recommended Dose of Nitrogen) on capsicum plant growth, yield, fruit quality, irrigation water productivity, and nitrogen use efficiency under drip irrigation in Punjab's sub-tropical climate.
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