Dr. Sarath Nissanka, R&D Coordinator, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

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1 Crop Trial Undertaken by University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, (Faculty of Agriculture-Department of Crop Science) in Collaboration with BioAg Pty Ltd (Australia) Crop: Green Chili Trial Dates: Commencement: 7 th December 21 Completion: 15 th April 211 Project Manager: Dr. Sarath Nissanka, R&D Coordinator, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka 1. Trial Objectives: To measure the economic benefits of BioAg technology in Sri Lankan horticultural crops To identify and measure the economic and agronomic benefits of BioAgPhos as a source of phosphorus in horticultural crops To identify and measure the economic and agronomic benefits of BioAg Soil & Seed and other BioAg liquid fertilisers in horticultural crops

2 BioAg Pty Ltd Chili Trials Trial Design Randomized Block Design Number of Treatments: 4 Number of Replications: 4 Planting Date: 27 th Dec 21 Chili Variety 1 MI 2 Harvesting once a week 3. Statistical Analysis: Analysis of variance and least significant difference (LSD) procedures were used for data analysis and mean comparisons. Table 1. T1 T2 T3 T4 Types and amounts of different fertiliser applied as basal dressing (BD) and top dressing (TD) for Chili (Kg/ha). Urea BIOAG N TSP BioAgPhos MOP S & S B & G BD TD BD TD BD TD BD L/ha TD L/ha T1 is the recommended fertiliser application by the Agriculture Department in Sri Lanka ( Control ). 4. Trial Site: Detailed Information Agro ecological zone: Mid country Intermediate zone in Sri Lanka 2

3 BioAg Pty Ltd Chili Trials Environmental Conditions during the experimental period: Temperature Daily Temperature ( o C) Jan Time period in months from September 21 - April 211 Maximum Temperature Minimum temperature Average Temperature Diurnanal Temperature difference Figure 1. Daily Temperature ( o C) variation from September 21 to April 211 Rainfall: Daily Rainfall (mm) Jan Time period in months from September 21 - April 211 Figure 2. Daily Rainfall variation (mm) during September 21 to April 211 3

4 BioAg Pty Ltd Chili Trials Cumulative Rainfall (mm ) Time period in weeks from September 21 - April 211 Figure 3. Cumulative Rainfall (mm ) during September 21 to April 211 Seasonal weather conditions In the period between late December 21 and mid-february 211, Sri Lanka had very heavy rainfall, from late December to Mid February, and all crops were affected due to a) the anaerobic nature of the soil, b) low light level, c) erosion. This anaerobic condition was not beneficial in any fertiliser application. One must assume that a significant portion of the applied nutrients were likely to have been washed out by the runoff water. Due to this heavy rain fall, some management practices, such as weeding and pesticide application were unable to be carried out at the right time. 5. Soil Conditions at the Trial site Soil types: Reddish Brown Latosolic The initial soil status were assessed and presented in the following Figures (4, 5, 6, and 7). 4

5 BioAg Pty Ltd Chili Trials ph value 4 2 Brinjal Chili Maize Raddish Rice Figure 4. The ph values of the initial soil samples of the experimental fields Electrical Conductiance (µs cm -1 ) Brinjal Chili Maize Raddish Rice Figure 5. The Electrical Conductance of the initial soil of the experimental fields Percentage Brinjal Chili Maize Raddish Rice Organic Carbon Organic Matter Figure 6. The percentage of organic C and organic matter in the initial soil samples Amount (mg Kg -1 ) Figure 7. Brinjal Chili Maize Raddish Rice The amount of NH 4 + and NO 3 - presented in the initial soil NH4+ NO3-5

6 BioAg Pty Ltd Chili Trials Results Plant Height The distribution of plant heights at different stages of crop growth are presented in the Fig. 8. Analysis carried out at 6 DAP revealed that plant heights were significantly different between fertiliser treatments (P =.75) (Table 2). The T1 (Urea + TSP + MOP) and T4 (BioAg N + TSP + BioAgPhos + MOP + Soil & Seed + Balance & Grow) treatments recorded greater plant height than the T2 (BioAg N+ TSP + MOP) and T3 (BioAg N + TSP + BioAgPhos + MOP) treatments Plant Height (Cm) T1 T2 T3 T Days After Planting Figure 8. Height (cm) of chili plants as affected by different fertiliser treatments at different stages of crop growth Days taken to 5% flowering Analysis indicated that fertiliser treatments had no significant impact on the reproductive maturity of the chili crop (P =.3972) (Fig 9. and Table 2.). 6

7 BioAg Pty Ltd Chili Trials Days After Planting Figure 9. T1 T2 T3 T4 Urea + TSP + MOP Bio Ag N 5 L/ton + TSP + MOP Treatment Bio Ag N 5 L/ton + TSP + Bio Ag Phos + MOP Bio Ag N 5 L/ton + TSP + Bio Ag Phos + MOP + SOIL & SEED Days taken to 5% flowering of Chili plants as affected by different fertiliser treatments Green Chili Yield Variations of green chili yield of six different picks are shown in the Fig 1. Analysis indicated that the total yield of six picks were not significantly different (Fig 1. & Table 2.). Yield (T/ha) Figure 1. 1 st 2 nd 3 rd 4 th 5 th 6 th Harvest Variation of green chili yield at different picks Urea + TSP + MOP Bio Ag N + TSP + MOP Bio Ag N + TSP + MOP + S & S Bio Ag N + TSP + MOP + S & S + F & B 7

8 BioAg Pty Ltd Chili Trials Yield (T/ha) T1 T2 T3 T4 Urea + TSP + MOP Bio Ag N+ TSP + Bio Ag N + TSP + Bio Ag N 5 L/ton + MOP Bio Ag Phos + MOP TSP + MOP + SOIL + SOIL & SEED & SEED + FRUIT & Treatment BALANCE Figure 11. Total green chili yield (six picks) as affected by different fertilizer treatments Table 2: Variation of plant height (cm) at 6 DAP, number of days taken for 5% flowering (DAP) from planting of chili and green pod yield (t/ha) of chili crop as affected by different fertiliser treatments. Treatment Plant Height Days for Flowering Crop Yield T1 - Urea + TSP + MOP 26.2 a 52 a 4.93 a T2 - BioAg N+ TSP + MOP b 52 a 5.5 a T3 - BioAg N + TSP + BioAg P + MOP + S & S b 51 a 4.29 a T4 - BioAg N + TSP + BioAgPhos + MOP + S & S + B&G a 5 a 5.79 a Values with same letter in the last column and the last row, respectively are not significantly different at p=.5 probability level The overall findings were that the fertiliser treatments where the nutrient levels were modified (T2, T3, & T4) produced comparable yields with the conventional fertiliser level recommended for chili crop by the DOA. However, treatment T4 had the best yield, which was 17% better than control. 8

9 BioAg Pty Ltd Chili Trials Economic Analysis Table 3: Cost Analysis of Green Chili in different fertiliser applications Fertiliser Cost per Ha (LKR) Yield (T/Ha) Gross Revenue (LKR Per Ha) Net Revenue (Gross - Fertiliser cost) (LKR per Ha) T 12, ,4 875,28 1 T 11, , 897,483 2 T 19, ,2 752,563 3 T 4 23, ,42,2 1,18,963 Value of Green Chili per tonne: LKR 18, Table 3. shows the economics of the chilli trial, indicating that T4 produced the highest yield. Both Gross Revenue and Net Revenue are substantially higher in T4, compared with T1 (Net Revenue was 16% higher). 8. Discussion This trial shows that the BioAg fertiliser applications provided benefits in crop yield, revenue and quality. An additional investment of Rs 11,1 per Ha on BioAg fertiliser has increased 9

10 BioAg Pty Ltd Chili Trials the crop revenue by Rs 143, in Trial T4 over the conventional practice used in the Control T1. Treatment T4 comprised BioAgPhos as the phosphorus fertiliser and Soil & Seed as the soil conditioner, plus BioAg foliar applications. The combined application of these nutrients has yield, revenue and quality benefits in chili cultivation. 9. Fertiliser Prices (retail) in Sri Lanka (LKR) per Ton The economic benefits were calculated using the prices listed below. Urea - 24, TSP - 24, MOP - 24, Sri Lanka has recently subsidised all the above fertilisers for all agricultural crops in Sri Lanka. The above prices are the subsidised retail prices. BioAgPhos - 35, (A$35) Soil & Seed - 6 per L Balance & Grow - 6 per L BioAg N - 2 per L (treatment 5L/t) The value of fresh chili is LKR 18, per tonne. 1