Effect of planting time and spacing on reproductive growth and physiological changes in king chilli (Capsicum chinense) under poly-house condition

A study was conducted in Rabi season 2014-15 in the poly-house, Department of Horticulture, CAU, Imphal to observe effect of planting time and spacing days to flowering, fruit maturity, net assimilation rate and plant growth efficiency of king chilli (Capsicum chinense) under poly-house condition. 4 planting times viz. November 30th, December 19th, January 7th and January 26th were considered as factor A and 3 spacings viz. 60 x 60 cm, 60 x 45 cm and 45 x 45 cm were considered as factor B. The experiment was laid out in FRBD (Factorial Randomized Block Design) with 3 replications. The result of the experiment showed that days to first flowering, 50% flowering and 80% fruiting significantly varied with variation of planting time, but not with spacing. Minimum days for first flowering (84.93 days), 50% flowering (92.47 days) and 80% fruiting (126.06 days) were exhibited by January 7th planting with a spacing of 45 x 45 cm. Maximum net assimilation rate (NAR) of 0.03858 gm-2/day and 0.09871 gm-2/day during 60-90 DAP AND 90-120 DAP respectively. Highest plant growth efficiency (PGE) (44.61%) was exhibited by November 30th planting with spacing of 60 x 60 cm during 60-90 DAP, followed by planting time December 19th with spacing of 60 x 45 cm (82.42%) during 90-120 DAP.