Screening for shade tolerant genotypes of chilli for homestead cultivation

Abstract

Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the most important vegetable cum spice crops of the tropics. In Kerala state vegetable crops, including chilli are often cultivated under homestead farming system where crops are grown under shade of coconut palm and other tropical perennial and semi perennial fruit crops. However, the varieties utilized are often those developed specifically for cultivating under fully open situation. In the homestead, shade act as one of the major abiotic stress factors that reduces the yield of these varieties considerably. Hence, cultivars that can perform well even under shaded situation will be the ideal ones for homestead cultivation. Such genotypes, if identified, and new varieties developed would be a boon to farmers who follow this system of farming. C. annuum genotypes are reported to have wide range of variability in shade tolerance and yield (Munshi and Behera, 3). In view of the above the present investigation of screening C. annuum genotypes was undertaken for identifying genotypes that can perform well under shaded situations