Ask your Agronomist: Follow these steps for high yields, bigger capsicums

A lady tends capsicum crops. To attain high capsicum yields, a farmer has to not only ensure the fruits are of bigger size but also the harvesting period is prolonged. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• The type of fertiliser applied and the stage (time) of application is key in ensuring that the nutrients are available ‘just in time’ for plant uptake.
• Establish the crop with a balanced NPK fertiliser, supplying the phosphorous and initial nitrogen and potassium requirement for early crop development.
• NITRABOR is, therefore, an important fertiliser to apply as a first topdress 3-4 weeks after transplanting.
• To attain high yields, a farmer has to not only ensure the fruits are of bigger size but also the harvesting period is prolonged.

Q : I am into capsicum farming and I am now targeting high yields as well as bigger fruits with a high shelf-life. Kindly advise on fertiliser use.
Catherine, Kakamega

In capsicum production, the yields are dependent on several factors mainly the variety and the nutrition programme used.

To attain high yields, a farmer has to not only ensure the fruits are of bigger size but also the harvesting period is prolonged.

This longer production period of uniform high quality fruits (right shape, size, colour and shelf-life) is essential for profitable capsicum farming.

The type of fertiliser applied and the stage (time) of application is key in ensuring that the nutrients are available ‘just in time’ for plant uptake.

Capsicums will generally do well at a pH range of 5.5-6.8 hence it is important to ameliorate your soils accordingly or at least avoid the commonly highly acidifying fertiliser products for sustainable use of our soils.

Related Content

• Ask your Agronomist: Step by step guide to onion fertiliser application
• Ask your Agronomist: When to apply foliar fertiliser for best results
• Ask you Agronomist: All on fertiliser application in capsicums for bigger fruits
• Ask your Agronomist: Go for crop specific fertilisers for good yields

Like all other crops, a balanced nutrient supply is needed for optimum productivity and profitability.

Alongside proper nutrition, all other agronomic practices have to be adhered to, including timely weeding, pest and disease management.

Capsicums are particularly susceptible to pests such as thrips among others and diseases like powdery mildews, that have to be properly managed to ensure a longer productive period.

Fertilisation regime
At crop establishment stage, it is essential to ensure early vigorous growth to build enough food reserves for the reproductive phase.

Establish the crop with a balanced NPK fertiliser, supplying the phosphorous and initial nitrogen and potassium requirement for early crop development.

This should be applied within seven days after transplanting.

Just like tomatoes, soluble calcium and boron are important in preventing disorders such as blossom end rot and give longer lasting fruits.

NITRABOR is, therefore, an important fertiliser to apply as a first top dress 3-4 weeks after transplanting.

At the onset of flowering and fruiting stage, application of an NPK with a high K, such as Winner, as well as trace elements is critical for to ensure high productivity and quality of capsicums.

To ensure the harvesting period is prolonged, continued application of the YaraMila Winner fertiliser in splits after every four harvests (four weeks) is essential in ensuring the crop continues to flower and produce more and good quality fruits, translating to better farmer profitability.

For crop specific fertiliser recommendations, please consult the following agronomists in your area:

Central Region: Stephen Mburu (0728396204)
Upper Rift Valley: Daniel Mui (0702466343)
Eastern: Dennis Nyandaya (0702466372)
Lower Rift Valley: Chris Masira (0798498320)
Western: Eric Okwado (0715484224)

Vitalis Wafula
East Africa Regional Agronomist, Yara.