Evaluation of red and yellow capsicum hybrids for quality attributes in naturally ventilated polyhouse in mid hills of western himalayas

Abstract

Bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L. var. grossum Sendt.), commonly known as sweet pepper or capsicum or Shimla mirch, is native of Mexico. It was introduced in India by the Britishers in the 19th century in Shimla hills. In India, capsicum including chillies is cultivated over an area of 5,50,000 ha with the production and productivity of 51,00,000 tones and 9.27 tonnes/ ha including hot pepper (FAO, 2007). It is commercially grown in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttrakhand, Arunachal Pradesh and Darjeeling District of West Bengal during summer months and as an autumn crop in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Bihar. In Himachal Pradesh, it is extensively grown as cash crop (June-October) in zone I, zone II and zone III in open environment and covers an area of 2,447 ha with the production of 31,810 tonnes including hot pepper (Anonymous, 2008).