Abstrait

Enhancing productivity of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) by using improved Varieties

Gebretsdakan Gebrtsadkan*, Yrgalem Tsehaye, Weldegerima G Libanos ,Kiros Asgele, Yohanes G Micael, Hadush Hagos, Eyasu Abreha

To determine the growth and productivity of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) at north western zone of Tigray during the 2006 & 2007 cropping season under irrigation conditions, a field experiment was done which consisted of 3 released hot pepper varieties (Mareko Fana, Melka Awaze and Melka Shote) and one local arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. In 2006 cropping season, days to 50 Flowering, days to 50% maturity, plant height, pod length, pod diameter, number of pods/plant and marketable yield were significantly influenced by varietal effect. Similarly, in 2007 significance difference were observed on days to 50 Flowering, days to 50% maturity, plant height, pod length, pod diameter, number of pods/plant and marketable yield. The highest mean marketable yield of the two seasons (90 q ha^-1) was gained using Mareko Fana variety in comparison to the lower marketable yield (72.6 q ha^-1) that was yielded using Melka Shote. Therefore, it can be recommended to use Mareko Fana variety for production by growers in the study area.