Performance of chilli (Capsicum annum L.) varieties and hybrids for growth, yield and quality

Introduction

Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) belongs to the family Solanaceae with chromosome no. 2n = 2x = 24. In India, chilli is one of the most important commercial crops. India grows chilli (Capsicum annuum L.), a lucrative commercial spice and vegetable crop, under a variety of agroclimatic settings, including temperate, tropical, and sub-tropical regions (Hazra et al., 2011) [5] . Chilli's flavour, colour, and alluring texture make it an essential spice. It is used to produce pickles, chutneys, and other condiments and is a basic element in Indian cookery. The crystalline, bitter, volatile alkaloid capsaicin, which is present in the pericarp and placenta of the fruit and has a variety of allopathic and Ayurvedic medical uses, gives chillies their strong flavour. India is the world's top producer, user, and exporter of chillies, producing 2.09 million tonnes annually from 0.84 million hectares (National Horticulture Board, 2016-17) [14] . With 1.29 mg of protein, 11 mg of calcium, 870 I.U. of vitamins A, 175 mg of ascorbic acid, 0.06 mg of thiamine, 0.03 mg of riboflavin, 0.55 niacin, and 321 mg of vitamin C per 100 g of edible fruit, chilli is a great source of high nutritional value. In lieu of artificial colouring, the natural colour of chillies also contributes to their increased worth. 75% of the total land used for its production and cultivation is in the states of Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. The eastern districts of Uttar Pradesh-Ballia, Azamgarh, Mirzapur, Basti, and Faizabad-are where the majority of the state's chillies are farmed (Katheek et al., 2018) [7] . The alkaloid capsaicin gives chillies their pungency. There are about 22 wild and 5 cultivated species in the genus Capsicum, including C. annum, C. baccatum, C. Chinese, C. frustescens, and C. pubenscens. The classification of chilli falls under the category of frequently cross-pollinated crops, and reports of natural out-crossing have reached 66.4 percent (Singh et al., 1994) [18] . Increasing the productivity and quality of chillies requires three key nutrients: potassium (K), phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N). Applying fertilizer is a common practice to maximize plant development and boost output per unit area while improving input use efficiency. One of the main financial obstacles to chillies production worldwide is anthracnose disease, which is particularly severe in tropical and subtropical areas when the crop reaches maturity. There is need to select the variety which shows tolerance or resistant to leaf curl disease (Kumar et al., 2016) [9] .

Materials and Methods

The present investigation "Performance of Chilli (Capsicum annum L.) Varieties and Hybrids for Growth, Yield and Quality" during August, 2024 to January, 2025. The experiment was carried out at a Research field, Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj (U.P.).

Geographically, it is situated at an elevation of 78 meters above sea level at 25.8⁰N latitude and 81.15⁰E longitude. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. 10 different varieties were planted using row and plant pacing of 45 cm x 45 cm. The experimental field was prepared in raised bed 15 cm above ground level. The seeds are treated with fungicide thiram @ 2.5 g/kg of seed. The experimental plot size was 2 m x 2 m and at basal dose 60 kg N, 60 kg P 2 O 5 and 60 kg K 2 O per hectare were applied before transplanting the seedlings. Observations on growth, yield and quality parameters were recorded in five randomly selected plants in each variety/ hybrid. The data collected were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) as suggested by Panse and Sukhatme (1985) [16] .

Results and Discussion

Growth parameters

There is significant variation in different growth attributes viz., days to germination, plant height (cm), number of branches per plant, plant spread (cm) (NS-EW), days to 1 st flower initiation, days to 50% flowering and days to 1 st picking of fruits of chilli varieties/ hybrids and is presented in table 2.

V 2 (Arka Swetha F1) was the earliest to germinate taking 4.90 days followed by V 1 (Arka Meghana F1) taking 5.07 days and V 5 (Chilli Black Purple F1) took the longest time to germinate taking 10.73 days.

There is considerable amount of changes in different varieties and hybrids of plant height, number of branches per plant and plant spread and are measured at 30, 60, 90 and 120 DAT to evaluate the differences. The statistical data of 120 DAT presented in Table 2. The maximum plant height and plant spread was recorded in V 9 (G-4) having (53.66 cm), (50.90 cm) followed by V 2 (Arka Swetha F1) having (52.46 cm), (48.93cm) and the minimum was recorded in V 3 (Kashi Anmol) having (47.60 cm), (44.46 cm). This may be due to the factors of different genetic makeup, environmental factors, plant spacing, nutrient availability, hormonal regulation or soil pH and salinity.

The results are in conformity with those of the findings of Vijaya et al. (2014) [21] ; Mamatha et al. (2017) [12] ; Srinivas et al.

(2017) [19] ; Arya et al. (2018) [1] ; Jan et al. (2020); Dhal et al.

(2021) [4] ; Indrabi et al. (2022) [6] ; Nauni (2022) [15] ; Sharath et al. (2023) [17] . The maximum number of branches plant⁻ 1 (12.87) was recorded in V 6 (Pusa Jwala) followed by V 5 (Chilli Black Purple F1) having 12.73 and minimum number of branches plant⁻ 1 (8.80) was recorded in V 2 (Arka Swetha F1). Those with more plant height could be utilized for enhancing the growth and development by increasing the plant response to sunlight and soil inputs by the way of photosynthesis and translocation resulting in gain in vegetative development in the plants.

Corresponding to the findings of present investigation, variability in number of branches per plant have also been reported by Vijaya et al. (2014) [21] ; Srinivas et al. (2017) [19] ; Mamatha et al. (2017) [12] ; Arya et al. (2018) [1] ; Dhal et al.

(2021) [4] ; Indrabi et al. (2022) [6] ; Nauni (2022) [15] ; Sharath et al. (2023) [17] .

Days to 1 st flower initiation, 50% flowering and 1 st picking of fruits V 1 (Arka Meghana F1) was observed to be the earliest in first flower initiation taking only 27.60 days followed by V 3 (Kashi Abha) taking 28.66 days and V 5 (Chilli Black purple F1) was observed to take the longest time in first flower initiation taking 33.40 days. Similar findings have also been reported by Mishra et al. (2017) [13] ; Mamatha et al. (2017) [12] ; Jan et al. (2020); Dhal et al. (2021) [4] ; Sharath et al. (2023) [17] . V 2 (Arka Swetha F1) was observed to be the earliest in 50% flowering taking only 43.80 days followed by V 1 (Arka Meghana F1) taking 43.93 days and V 7 (Suraj Mukhi) was observed to take the longest time in 50% flowering taking 60.26 days. The variation in the results are in conformity with those of the findings of Mishra et al.

(2017) [13] ; Mamatha et al. (2017) [12] ; Arya et al. (2018) [1] ; Indrabi et al. (2022) [6] ; Nauni (2022) [15] . V 2 (Arka Swetha F1) was observed to be the earliest to harvest the fruits taking 62.86 days followed by V 3 (Kashi Anmol) taking 63.53 days and V 7 (Suraj Mukhi) was observed to be late variety to harvest the fruits taking 70.93 days. The variation in the results are in conformity with those of the findings of Mishra et al. (2017) [13] ; Mamatha et al. (2017) [12] ; Deshmukh et al. (2021) [3] .

Yield parameters

There is significant variation in different yield attributes viz., fruit length (cm), fruit diameter (cm), average weight of fruit (g), number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per plant (g) and fruit yield (q/ha) of chilli varieties/ hybrids and is presented in table 3.

The maximum fruit length was recorded in V 2 (Arka Swetha F1) having 11.82 cm length followed by V 10 (F1 Hybrid Long) having 11.70 cm and minimum fruit length was recorded in V 4 (Kahi Abha) having 4.07 cm. The variation in fruit length occur due to genetic variation, gene expression, breeding and selection, environmental selection, light intensity and duration, plant spacing, irrigation or pollination and fruit set. The results are in agreement with Vijaya et al. (2014) [21] ; Mamatha et al.

(2017) [12] ; Srinivas et al. (2017) [19] ; Kumari et al. (2017) [10] ; Arya et al. (2018) [1] ; Nauni (2022) [15] ; Indrabi et al. (2022) [6] ; Deshmukh et al. (2023) [3] ; Sharath et al. (2023) [17] . The maximum fruit diameter was recorded in V 2 (Arka Swetha F1) having 2.43 cm followed by V 4 (Kashi Abha) having 2.30 cm and minimum fruit diameter was recorded in V 6 (Pusa Jwala) having 1.64 cm. This occur due to genetic factors like cultivarspecific traits, fruit shape genes, ploidy level, availability of water and soil nutrients, PGRs. The results are in agreement with Vijaya et al. (2014) [21] ; Srinivas et al. (2017) [19] ; Kumari et al. (2017) [10] ; Mamatha et al. (2017) [12] ; Kumari et al. (2017) [11] ; Indrabi et al. (2022) [6] ; Sharath et al. (2023) [17] .

The maximum weight of fruit and number of fruits per plant was found in V 2 (Arka Swetha F1) having (4.47 g), (57.67) followed by V 10 (F1 Hybrid Long) having (4.25 g), (52.33) and minimum was found in V 7 (Suraj Mukhi) having (2.47 g), (37.33). The variation is may be due to varietal traits, growth habit, flower-tofruit ratio, optimal temperature promote flowering and fruit setting, light intensity, plant spacing, weed, pest and disease incidence and different management practices. The results are in conformity with those of the finding of Tembhurne et al. (2008) [20] ; Vijaya et al. (2014) [21] ; Kumari et al. (2017) [11] ; Srinivas et al. (2017) [19] ; Mamatha et al. (2017) [12] ; Arya et al. (2018) [1] ; Jan et al. (2020); Dhal et al. (2021) [4] ; Indrabi et al. (2022) [6] ; Nauni (2022) [15] ; Kirmani et al. (2023) [8] ; Sharath et al. (2023) [17] ; Deshmukh et al. (2023) [3] .

Fruit yield per plant (g) and Fruit yield (q/ha) The maximum Fruit Yield plant⁻ 1 and Fruit yield (q/ha) was obtained in V 2 (Arka Swetha F1) with (257.05 g), (126.94 q/ha) followed by V 10 (F1 Hybrid Long) with (221.27 g), (109.27 q/ha) and minimum was obtained in V 7 (Suraj Mukhi) with (91.97 g), (45.42 q/ha). This variation is may be due to genetic yield potential, disease resistance genes, soil fertility, water availability, population density, fertilizer application, weed and pest management and flower retention. The results are in agreement with Tembhurne et al. (2008) [20] ; Srinivas et al., (2017) [19] , Kumari et al. (2017) [10] ; Mamatha et al. (2017) [12] ; Dhal et al. (2021) [4] ; Indrabi et al. (2022) [6] ; Kirmani et al.

Quality parameters

The statistical data of different quality attributes viz., TSS (⁰Brix) and ascorbic acid (mg/100 g) of fruit juice of chilli varieties/ hybrids is presented in table 4.

The maximum Total Soluble Solid (⁰Brix) was found in V 8 (AK-47) having 5.71 (⁰Brix) followed by V 4 (Kashi Abha) having 5.30 (⁰Brix) and minimum Total Soluble Solid (⁰Brix) was found in V 1 (Arka Meghana F1) having 4.24 (⁰Brix). Similar findings were also reported by Nauni (2022) [15] . The maximum Ascorbic acid (mg/100 g) of fruit juice was found in V 9 (G-4) having 157.00 (mg/100 g) followed by V 2 (Arka Swetha F1) having 156.33 (mg/100 g) and minimum Ascorbic acid (mg/100 g) of fruit juice was found in V 5 (Chilli Black Purple F1) having 136.33 (mg/100 g). Similar finding was also reported by Datta et al. (2016) [2] .

Conclusion

On the basis of present investigation, it is concluded that V₂ (Arka Swetha F1) giving 126.94 q/ha fruit yield was found superior in terms of growth, yield and quality followed by V 10 (F1 Hybrid Long) 109.27 q/ha and V 1 (Arka Meghana F1) 98.03 q/ha. Moreover, the minimum days to germination, days to 50% flowering, days to 1 st picking of fruits, and maximum fruit length, fruit diameter, average weight of fruit, no. of fruits per plant, fruit yield per plant, fruit yield (q/ha) was significantly highest in V₂ (Arka Swetha F1). It was also recorded that V₂ gave maximum Net Return (Rs 2,74,767.00/ha), higher Gross Return (Rs 3,80,820.00/ha) and Cost Benefit ratio of 3.59. So, the V₂ hybrid variety can be considered as the suitable variety for the farmers of Prayagraj region (UP) since it can increase the income of the farmers.

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