An experiment was conducted during the year 2022 to study the effects of soil-applied potassium on the growth and yield of chili (Capsicum annum L.) genotypes. The experiment took place at Latif Farm, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam. The experimental design used was a randomized complete block design factorial (RCBD) with three replications. Two chili varieties, namely Ghotki and Longi, were transplanted, and potassium was applied in the form of sulfate of potash. The potassium treatments included K1: Control (0 g plot^-1), K2: (52.5 g plot^-1), K3: (105 g plot^-1), K4: (157.5 g plot^-1), and K5: (210 g plot^-1). Various parameters were recorded, including plant height (cm), number of branches plant^-1, number of leaves plant^-1, days to flowering, flower production plant^-1, days to fruiting, yield plant^-1 (kg), number of fruits plant^-1, weight of a single fruit (g), and yield ha^-1 (tones). The growth and yield characteristics of the chili were found to be significantly influenced by both the varieties and potassium levels. However, the interaction between the varieties and potassium levels did not have a significant impact on the growth and yield-related characteristics of the chili. Among the varieties, the Ghotki variety exhibited the highest values for plant height (118.78 cm), number of branches plant^-1 (18.06), number of leaves plant^-1 (127.92), flower production plant^-1 (56.21), yield plant^-1 (1.06 kg), weight of a single fruit (2.05 g), and yield ha^-1 (19.61 tones). On the other hand, the Longi variety recorded the minimum values for days to flowering (58.92), days to fruiting (89.24), and number of fruits per plant (26.86). The treatment with potassium applied at 100 kg ha^-1 resulted in the highest values for plant height (120.45 cm), number of branches plant^-1 (21.00), number of leaves plant^-1 (129.18), flower production plant^-1 (57.33), yield plant^-1 (1.11 kg), number of fruits plant^-1 (31.24), weight of a single fruit (2.45 g), and yield ha^-1 (19.42 tones). Conversely, the treatment with no potassium application (0 kg ha^-1) resulted in the lowest values for plant height (117.06 cm), number of branches plant^-1 (14.50), number of leaves plant^-1 (121.37), flower production plant^-1 (54.28), yield plant^-1 (0.96 kg), number of fruits plant^-1 (23.50), and weight of a single fruit (1.61 g). The application of potassium at a rate of 100 kg ha^-1 showed favorable outcomes in terms of the growth and yield characteristics of chili. Additionally, the Ghotki variety demonstrated better results compared to the Longi variety in terms of various growth and yield attributes.

Keywords: chilies, growth, yield, potassium.