Abstract

IX-NAHUAT, J.G. et al. Agronomic value of germoplasm of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) in Yucatán, Mexico. Universidad y ciencia [online]. 2013, vol.29, n.3, pp.231-242. ISSN 0186-2979.

Eleven sweet chilli pepper (Capsicum annumm L.) populations were evaluated in three localities in the state of Yucatán, Mexico: Conkal, Izamal and Acanceh, with the purpose of identifying the best populations with respect to fruit yield and agronomic traits. The test followed a random block design with three replicates. Planting density was approximately 20,000 plants ha^-1. The studied variables were fruit yield, fruit weight, number of fruits per plant, days to harvest, fruit length and diameter, and plant height. Based on the analysis of variance, the test localities significantly affected the populations' performance. In Conkal, all the pepper populations had a greater (p ≤ 0.05) total fruit yield that those recorded for Acanceh and Izamal, whereas in this localities, the fruit weight and the days to harvest were greater than those recorded for Conkal, which may be interpreted as a high interaction of the evaluated populations with the environment. The best populations with respect to good yields and agronomic traits were ITCD-209 and ITCD-28. The ITCD-209 population presented a similar performance of the evaluated variables throughout the evaluated environments.

Keywords : Capsicum annuum; sweet pepper; population evaluation; germoplasm adaptability; characterisation.