Evaluation of plant characteristics of early harvesting hybrid chili lines

Abstract

Chili pepper is a popular horticultural commodity grown across the tropics, including Indonesia. The availability of chili varieties, particularly hybrids, may extend options for growers as well as consumers, depending on their personal preferences and needs. In 2022, research was conducted in the Lembang highlands agroecosystem, West Java, Indonesia, with the aim to evaluate plant characteristics including plant morphology and production of F1 chili lines. Five genotypes were employed in a complete randomized block design with four replications, including two F1 lines (1 x 5 and 5 x3) and three commercial F1 hybrid varieties (Carla Agrihorti, Hot Beauty, and Inata Agrihorti). The 1 x 5 line had a short plant posture, characterized by the short stem length, internodes, and plant height. This line also had the earliest flowering (44.25 dap) as well as harvesting (96 dap). This 1 x 5 line‘s advantage was complimented by a high yield of 16.7 tons Ha-1. The F1 1 x 5 line is expected to be efficient in the use of water, fertilizer, and pesticides due to its short plants and early harvest but high yield, allowing it to contribute to sustainable agriculture and have a beneficial impact on the environment.