DEVELOPMENT OF PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY AND ADAPTATION OF SWEET PEPPER IN SYLHET REGION

Abstract

Two different studies including evaluation of production technology of sweet pepper at the experimental field of Sylhet Agricultural University and adaptation of sweet pepper at the farmer‘s field of Sylhet and Habiganj districts were made during the winter season of 2014-2015. For on station evaluation of production technology, various tunnel covers including fine net, fine net + polythene covering, coarse net, coarse net + polythene covering, only polythene covering and open field condition were used for BARI Mistimorich-1 cultivation under RCB design with three replications. For on farm adaptive trials, BARI Mistimorich-1 was grown under three protective systems of net+polythene, only net and open field condition under selected farmers from Habiganj and Sylhet districts. On station evaluation of production technology revealed that tunnel covers had significant influence on growth and yield of sweet pepper. The highest number of fruits per plant was recorded (11.35) from the plant grown under fine net+polythene protected system followed by coarse net+polythene protected system (9.77) while it was the minimum for open condition (4.63). Individual fruit weight was also largely affected due to protective systems. The highest individual fruit weight was recorded from the plants grown under fine net system (106.0 g) while it was the lowest for the plants grown in open field condition (59.0 g). The corresponding fruit yield per plant was also the highest (1.117 kg/plant) when the crops grown under fine net+polythene protection followed by the plants grown under coarse net+polythene protection (0.902 kg/plant). Results revealed that the yield of sweet pepper under protected condition was higher compared to that of plants grown under open field condition (0.268 kg/plant). Yield (13324.06 kg/acre) and benefit cost ratio (BCR) were also highest (5.20) in fine net+polythene protection system than open systems. Variation in fruit yield and yield performance of sweet pepper was noticed among different farmers and protective structures. Production of sweet pepper under net+ polythene or only net protected condition for all farmers was much higher compared to that of open field condition. In this on farm adaptive trial, the mean highest number of fruits/plant (9.72) was recorded from the plant grown under net+polythene followed by the crops grown from only net protective structure (8.76). The corresponding fruit yield was also the highest (134 kg/decimal) when the crops grown under net+polythene protection followed by the plant grown from only net protection (115 kg/decimal), while the average yield/decimal was 100 kg. Economic analysis revealed that the BCR was maximum (5.06) for the sweet pepper grown from only net protection but gross income was maximum (14740 Tk/decimal) for net+polythene protection. It was due to the higher cost of production (4200 Tk/decimal) under net+polythene protection system compared to only net protection (2500 Tk/decimal) system. Thus, use of only net protection might be more profitable for sweet pepper production in Sylhet region.