FOLIAR APPLICATION OF COPPER NANOPARTICLES ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF CHILI

Application of copper nanoparticles in agriculture could improve the plant growth and yield due to its physiochemical properties and role in nutrient supply to the plants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate different concentrations of copper nanoparticles and their effects on the growth and yield in chili. The study was consisted of three levels of copper nanoparticles application and control: (i) Control (T₀); (ii) 1ml/L (T₁); (iii) 2ml/L (T₂); (iv) 3ml/L (T₃) and arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The copper nanoparticles had significant effects on growth and yield of chili. They enhanced the plant growth, pod number, pod length, pod weight and pod yield per plant. The concentration with the best effect on the growth and yield of chili plants was 3ml/L copper nanoparticles, which increased the pod number (24.1%), pod length (17.5%), pod diameter (18.4%), single pod weight (16.9%) and the yield per hectare (45.7%) over control. Furthermore, all the growth and yield attributes were found to be positive significant correlation with each other. Therefore, copper nanoparticles @ 3ml/L have the potential to improve the growth and yield of chili.