Adoption of Recommended PAU Practices for Capsicum Cultivation

The investigation was undertaken to study the socio-personal characteristics of capsicum growers and to find out the level of adoption of recommended PAU, practices by them. The results showed that all the respondents visited Kisan Melas and attended demonstrations regularly followed by 52.50 per cent who attended field days regularly. Majority of the respondents attended group discussions regularly and 92.50 per cent contacted officials of Punjab State Farmers Commission (PSFC) once in a month and only 7.50 % contacted them once in a season. Progressive farmers were the main source of motivation for all of the respondents followed by the officials of PSFC (97.50%) and friends (80.00%). All the respondents who used non-recommended quantity used less then recommended quantity of FYM and potash fertilizer. All the respondents (100%) used recommended method and recommended time of application of FYM. Majority of respondents applied more than recommended quantity of nitrogenous fertilizer, did not follow the recommended time and method of fertilizer application. Majority of the respondents followed only mechanical method of weed control and 93.75% used recommended weedicides. All the respondents followed recommended time of application of weedicides and irrigated the crop following recommended duration in summer as well as in winter. Majority (90.00%) of respondents did not face any disease problem in cultivation of capsicum crop. All the respondents (100%) started picking fruit at the recommended time and stage.