Abstract

To study the effect of foliar application of humic acid at 0.05%, zinc at 0.05% and boron at 0.02% on biochemical changes related to productivity of pungent pepper cv. Bullet (Capsicum annuum L.), a pot experiment in randomized block design with three replications was conducted in the net house of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia-741252, West Bengal, India. In This experiment, we observed some physiological and biochemical characteristics of pungent pepper. Obtained results revealed that the highest value of height of plant, numbers of leaf plant^-1, leaf area, numbers of branch plant^-1, numbers of fruit plant^-1 and fruit length were exhibited by foliar application of HA + Zn + B. The highest value of fruit diameter, weight of 20 fresh fruits, numbers of seed fruit^-1 and weight of 100 seeds were exhibited by foliar application of Zn + B and HA + Zn + B, respectively. The total chlorophyll content significantly increased in HA + Zn + B followed by HA + B and Zn + B application. The highest value of reducing sugar, total sugar and starch content were obtained by application of HA + Zn + B. The highest content of protein, fat, energy and total phenol were exhibited by foliar application of Zn + B, Zn, HA + Zn + B and HA + Zn + B, respectively. The activity of polyphenol oxidase was significantly ‘good performer’ in HA + Zn + B followed by HA and HA + B application. There are significant and positive correlation of starch with some physiological characteristics such as leaf area, number of fruits plant^-1, fruit diameter and total chlorophyll. The correlation of energy value with carbohydrates, fat, protein, total chlorophyll and leaf area were positive and significant. Based on principle component analysis and considering average values of all variables, our results suggested that the good promising treatment in HA + Zn followed by Zn + B, HA + Zn + B and Zn alone application may bring about the proper value addition in quality as well as productivity of crop by enhancing the some physiological and biochemical characteristics in pungent pepper.

Key words:  Capsicum annuum L., humic acid, zinc, boron, quality, productivity.