Capsicum

Beds in the open field, the shade-net or the polyhouse are prepared about ten days before planting: cow dung, the basal dose and PSR Granules go in together. Capsicum roots are shallow and suffer in waterlogged soil, so drainage is settled now.

• PSR Granules50 kg/acre with cow dung & the basal doseSustained-release soil conditioner, in with the cow dung and the basal dose, so the root zone is ready when the transplants go in.

The transplant roots and resumes leaf growth; under cover it goes onto twine early. Whitefly, thrips and aphids carry leaf curl and mosaic viruses into young plants, so the virus shield starts at 12 days.

• Zillon2-2.5 ml/L (once leaf curl or mosaic shows: 5 ml/L)Immunobooster against leaf curl and mosaic viruses, sprayed before the virus comes: 12, 30 and 45 days after planting (12, 30, 45 DAP), through the weeks when whitefly and thrips carry it in.
• Vinsol P-443 kg/acre by drip at 15 daysUrea phosphate that stays in solution: phosphorus for the new roots.
• TMT5 ml/L at 15-20 days (at least 1 L per acre)Cytokinin 0.2% with protein hydrolysate while the young plant builds roots and leaves.
• Setall2 g/L foliar, before flowering at 15-20 daysSix chelated micronutrients with a cytokinin activator: zinc and boron are in the leaf before the first buds form.
• PhytoCal1.5 ml/L at 18-20 daysLiquid calcium with amino acids for the young cell walls. In its own tank, never with Setall or a phosphatic fertiliser.
• Nano CuC2.5 ml/L with Bio-Kiran 2.0 ml/L at 15-20 daysDisease shield, first pass: nano copper with no visible deposit, deployed on forecast.
• Bio-Kiran2.0 ml/L with Nano CuC 2.5 ml/L at 15-20 daysResidue-free antimicrobial partner in the same tank.

Two to four main stems are trained and the branch frame is set; the first crown fruit is often removed so the plant builds frame first. A heavy canopy competes with the fruit for calcium, so vigour is held in check.

• Zillon2-2.5 ml/L (once leaf curl or mosaic shows: 5 ml/L)Immunobooster against leaf curl and mosaic viruses, sprayed before the virus comes: 12, 30 and 45 days after planting (12, 30, 45 DAP), through the weeks when whitefly and thrips carry it in.
• Vinsol P-444 kg/acre by drip at 25 daysThe largest of the three drip doses, as the canopy and branch frame build.
• Vinsol P-443 kg/acre by drip at 35 daysThe last drip dose before flowering.
• Cordex-P2.5 ml/L in the soil at the roots at 30 daysRed-seaweed (Kappaphycus alvarezii) extract at the roots as the branch frame builds.
• Winstop2 ml/L at 30-45 daysSeaweed vigour control: checks runaway shoot growth so the plant spends on flowers and fruit, not leaf.
• Raseek2.5 ml/L at 30-45 daysAntioxidant-class biostimulant (phenolic compounds 3%), one spray while the frame builds.
• Nano CuC2.5 ml/L with Bio-Kiran 2.5 ml/L at 30-40 daysDisease shield, second pass.
• Bio-Kiran2.5 ml/L with Nano CuC 2.5 ml/L at 30-40 daysThe second pass, same tank.

Flowers open at the forks. Nights below about 15 °C or days above about 33 °C upset pollen and give misshapen or seedless fruit, and flowers drop in heat; steady moisture and good ventilation matter now.

• Zillon2-2.5 ml/L (once leaf curl or mosaic shows: 5 ml/L)Immunobooster against leaf curl and mosaic viruses, sprayed before the virus comes: 12, 30 and 45 days after planting (12, 30, 45 DAP), through the weeks when whitefly and thrips carry it in.
• Tulip2 ml/L, 1st spray at 40-50 daysCytokinin balanced with auxin co-factors, for flowering and fruit setting as the first flowers open.
• Setall2 g/L foliar, after flowering at 40-45 daysThe second micronutrient pass, for the setting fruit.
• Cytokin1 g in 30 L of water at 10% floweringWater-soluble cytokinin, the cell-division signal, as flowering begins.
• Nano CuC3 ml/L with Bio-Kiran 3 ml/L, SOS after 45 daysSOS pass from 45 days after planting (45 DAP), when rain, dew or bacterial disease pressure calls for it.
• Bio-Kiran3 ml/L with Nano CuC 3 ml/L, SOS after 45 daysSOS pass, same tank.

The blocky fruit set and swell quickly. Blossom-end rot, a calcium-supply disorder of fast-growing fruit, shows first on the crown fruit, and even watering matters as much as calcium; sunscald marks fruit left without leaf cover.

• Tulip2 ml/L, 2nd spray 15 days after the 1stFruit setting and size development as the fruit load builds.
• TMT5 ml/L at 50-60 days (at least 1 L per acre)The second pass as the fruit sets, for bigger blooms and a better finish.
• Winstop2 ml/L at 50-60 daysThe second pass as the fruit loads, holding vigour in check so assimilate goes to the fruit.
• Glad1.5 ml/L at 50-60 daysBrassinosteroid antistress spray that helps hold the set through heat.
• Cordex-P2.5 ml/L on the leaves at 60 daysThe foliar pass at fruit set; the label positions it for flowering and pod set.
• PhytoCal2.5 ml/L at 60-65 daysCalcium into the expanding fruit, for firmness, crack resistance and shelf life. In its own tank.
• Cytokin1 g in 30 L of water at 50% fruitingCytokinin again at half fruiting.
• Nano CuC3 ml/L with Bio-Kiran 3 ml/L, SOS after 45 daysSOS pass from 45 days after planting (45 DAP), when rain, dew or bacterial disease pressure calls for it.
• Bio-Kiran3 ml/L with Nano CuC 3 ml/L, SOS after 45 daysSOS pass, same tank.

Green fruit is picked from about 60 days, coloured fruit later, and under cover picking can run for months. Cracking follows hot days and cool, humid nights.

• Tulip2 ml/L, 3rd spray 15 days after the 2ndKeeps the later flushes setting while picking runs.
• Glad2 ml/L at 70-80 daysThe second antistress pass, through the picking weeks.
• Nano CuC3 ml/L with Bio-Kiran 3 ml/L, SOS after 45 daysSOS pass from 45 days after planting (45 DAP), when rain, dew or bacterial disease pressure calls for it.
• Bio-Kiran3 ml/L with Nano CuC 3 ml/L, SOS after 45 daysSOS pass, same tank.