Effect of planting dates and varieties on growth, fruit yield and quality of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

Bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is highly sensitive to temperature variation and high temperature promotes flower drops and reduce fruit yield. An experiment was undertaken to identify suitable planting time of bell pepper and stable performed varieties for different plating dates during the winter season of 2011-12 and 2012-13 at U.B.K.V., Pundibari, West Bengal, India. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with 3 replications. Three planting dates (15th November, 30th November and 15th December) were allotted in sub plots while 4 varieties (Mekong, California Wonder, JK Peeyali and Asha) were placed in main plots. Bell pepper responded differently with the changes in planting dates irrespective of years. The 30th November planting date emerged best in terms of different and growth and yield attributes. Among the varieties, Mekong emerged as superior in terms of more number of fruits (10.24), fruit weight (65.50 g) and yield (670.76 g/plant and 18.11 t/ha) while maximum beta carotene and vitamin C were recorded in the variety California Wonder (0.071 ?g/100g fresh fruits, 154.80 mg/100g fresh fruits, respectively). The interaction effect showed that variety Mekong transplanted on 15th December resulted in many fold improvement in the form of highest leaf area (8.79 cm2), maximum number of fruits/ plant, fruit weight (86.93 g) and fruit yield (854.69 g/plant and 23.08 t/ha). The result established that 30th November is ideal for bell pepper planting and the variety Mekong is the most stable performing variety with respect to the different planting dates