Evaluation of Vegetative and Yield Performance of Capsicum Annuum In The Low Country Intermediate Zone Of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Chilli (Capsicum annuum) is widely cultivated in Sri Lanka. The study aimed to evaluate the vegetable growth, agronomic traits and yield performance of eight chilli varieties under Low Country Intermediate Zone condition, considering the influence of different environmental conditions and intercropping with a leguminous crop. The experiment was conducted at the Hasalaka, Kandy district (central province), Sri Lanka. The chilli (Caps icum annuum) varieties : MIC H0 1, KA 0 2, G alkiriyagama sele ction, MI War aniya 0 l, MI 01, MI HOT, MICH}I-Hybrid, and MI 02, which were evaluated using a Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with ten replicates. The chilli variety MI HOT and the mungbean variety MI 05 were selected for the intercropping study. The intercropping experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. Plant height at vegetative stage varied from .Galkiriyagama Selection (17 .41+0.728 cm) to MI02 (10.42+ 0.365 cm) respectively. Number of leaves at vegetative stage varied from MICH 0-3 (9.88+1 .17) to MI Waraniya 01 (7.60 + 0.476) respectively. Leaf length leaf at vegetative stage varied from MI 01(8.10+0.120cm) to MI 02 (3.86 + 0.0718cm) respectively.Leaf width at vegetative stage varied from MI Waraniya 01 (4.83 + 0.111cm) to MI 02 (2.30 + 0.0856cm) respectively. The number of branches at vegetative stage varied from K4 02 (2.10 + 1.370) to MI 02 (0.700+0.260) respectively. The number of flowers at flowering stage varied from MI Waraniya to Galkiriyagama selection respectively. In the Low Country Intermediate Zone (LCIZ), plant height was similar between intercropping (8.20 + 0.15 cm) and monocropping (8.12 + 0.21cm). Leaf number and branch number were slightly higher under intercropping (8.06 + 0.77,3.86 + 0.038) compared to monocropping (9.04 + 0.16 and 3.60 + 0.0589). Leaf area and leaf width showed minimal differences between the two systems, and no viable nodules were observed under either systems. During this period, the site experienced warm, dry conditions (30.42-35.5oC, 0-1 .79mmrainfall, declining humidity from 89%o to 78.1o/o, and slightly longer day lengths of 11 :46-11:55hr), which likely constrained vegetative growth, indicating that intercropping offered only marginal benefits under LCIZ conditions.