Research
Growth, Pod Yield and Quality of Hot Pepper (Capsicum Annuum L.) as Affected by Variety and Rates of Nitrogen Fertilizer in Wolaita, Southern Ethiopia
Hot pepper is one of the most important vegetables and spice crops cultivated in many parts of the country. Despite its economic, nutritional, and medicinal purposes, the research done so far on this crop is very limited. Therefore, the current research was conducted to identify best hot pepper variety for pod yield and quality and determine optimum rates of nitrogen (N) fertilizer for hot pepper production in Wolaita, Southern Ethiopia. The field experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Four varieties (Melka Awaze, Melka Shote, Avpp0514, and Avpp0206 with four N fertilizer rates (0, 50, 100, and 150kg N ha-1) were assigned to the experimental plot with a total of 16 treatments. The result showed that interaction of variety and rates of N fertilizer significantly (P < 0.05) affected plant height, leaf area, leaf area index, total pod yield, marketable pod yield and significantly (P < 0.001) affected pod length, pod width, pod wall thickness and disease incidence of hot pepper. The highest marketable pod yield (16.33 t ha-1) was achieved from variety Avpp0514 coupled with the rate of 100 kg N ha-1 followed by variety Avpp0514 at the rate of 50 kg N ha-1 (14.93 t ha-1) whereas the lowest pod yield was achieved from variety Melka Shote at 0kg N ha-1. The highest oleoresin content (25.89%) was recorded by Avpp0514 at 50 kg N ha-1.
Genetic Variability and Heritability Study of Hot Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Genotypes in Wolaita, Southern Ethiopia
Genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance study was conducted using 55 hot pepper genotypes with the objectives to identify the extent of genetic variability explained by genotypes and to assess the magnitude of heritability (broad sense) and expected genetic advance. The experiment was conducted during 2016-2018 at three locations in Wolaita, Southern Ethiopia using RCBD with three replications. The result illustrated the existence of sufficient genetic variability in growth, yield and quality characters. The fresh fruit yield ranged from 3151.43kg/ha to 43002.86kg/ha with a difference of 39851.43kg/ha. Similarly, the oleoresin content and dry weight depicted range of 1.44-10.20% and 489.83-7652.85kg/ha, respectively indicating ample variability for further improvement and selection of superior genotype. The PCV in percent ranged from 33.44 (for oleoresin) to 8.50 (branch number) and GCV ranged from 32.15 to 7.21 for same traits which is an indication for broad genetic base and these traits are under the control of additive gene effects and, hence, there is a good scope for further improvement. Heritability (in broad sense) ranged from 60.39 (fruit number) to 92.39 (oleoresin content).
