Abstract
Capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.), commonly known as bell pepper or Shimla mirch, is a high-value vegetable crop in India, particularly in Uttarakhand, where yields have fluctuated amid rising chemical fertilizer use and environmental concerns. This study evaluated the impact of nine organic manure treatments on the growth, phenology, and yield of the California Wonder capsicum variety during the 2022 kharif season at the Department of Rural Technology, Chauras Campus, HNB Garhwal University. Laid out in a Randomized Block Design with three replications, treatments included farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost, poultry manure, and their combinations. Results showed significant improvements over control (T0) maximum plant height, flowers per plant (20.30), fruits per plant (15.33), fruit weight (92.33 g), and yield (1.31 kg/plant; 22.76 t/ha) in T6 (50% poultry manure + 50% vermicompost). This treatment also promoted earliness (first flowering: 35.66 days; fruit set 50.00 days) and longer pedicels (2.32 cm). Organic manures enhance nutrient availability, soil health, and assimilate partitioning, offering a sustainable alternative to chemical inputs for boosting productivity while mitigating soil degradation.