Assessment of Growth and Yield Attributes of Chilli and Capsicum Varieties in Baramulla District in Union Territory of J and K

Abstract

Chilli and capsicum being popular in district and is grown by all groups of people but due to insufficient knowledge regarding improved varieties and management practices, the productivity and quality is facing a barrier to reach to its maximum. Moreover, selection of a variety most suited for the locality is an immediate need of the hour. In the present study, various growth and yield characteristics of promising lines developed by ICAR-CITH, Srinagar were studied in comparison with the local varieties used by the farmers kept as check. Eleven locations in several different villages of district were selected. One trial was also laid out at KVK farm. Capsicum lines CITH-N-4-1-1, CITH-SP-4, CITH-SP-3-1, CITH-CW-4-1/15, CITH-NS-284-1/15, Nishat-1-Sel-5 and Gold Selection-1 and chilli line CITH HP-111-1 were planted in May, 2021 under scientific management. The data for several parameters in chilli showed that CITH-HP-111-1 exhibited higher fruit length, fruit width and fruit yield than the local variety. CITH-HP-111-1 was of red color darker than local chilli variety having light red color. In capsicum, CITH-NS-284-1/15, CITH-CW-4-1/51, CITH-SP-3-1 exhibited superior mean performance for all the characteristics compared with the check variety and was accepted by the farmers for future planting. Also, technology gap of 7.55 t ha-1, extension gap of 2.60 t ha-1 and the percentage increase over farmers’ practice was 17.5 % in case of chilli, hence indicating a positive response to yield attributes.