Suitable varieties and economic analysis of sweet pepper for tropical Islands

Abstract

Andaman and Nicobar Islands is one of most tourist destination in India and to meet the food requirements of travellers, ‘tourist food’ crops need to be grown locally to sustain local agriculture. Sweet pepper is one of such vegetable crop which had negligible production in islands and entire demand was being met through transports from mainland India. Heavy downpour during rainy season (May - December) and lack of information on suitable varieties limits its promotion. Present study investigated ten varieties/F1 hybrids of sweet pepper in polyhouse. The most promising variety was found to be ‘Indra’ (63.6t/ha) followed by ‘California Wonder’ (48.3t/ha), however, unmarketable yield was also high in both of them (16.0t/ha and 9.9t/ha, respectively). Incidence of bacterial wilt in natural field was ranged from 26.0 % (Arka Gaurav) to 39.3 % (Bomby). Blossom end rot was observed to be highest in ‘Kaveri’ (13.8%), sunscald and misshapen fruits in ‘Orobelle’ 23.1% and 12.8%, respectively. Strong negative correlation (r = -0.713) was observed between sunscald and plant spread. Varieties showed differences for economic viability of polyhouse cultivation of sweet pepper and the highest net return (Rs./ha) was recorded from ‘Indra’ at farm gate price (Rs. 1777785/-) and consumer price (Rs. 2969141/-). The information will be useful for promotion of an exotic high value vegetable like sweet pepper in island condition and economizing the polyhouse cultivation technology.