Performance of Coloured Bell Pepper in Naturally-Ventilated Polyhouse under Mid-Hill Conditions of Himachal Pradesh

Bell pepper is highly susceptible to water stagnation and excess moisture. Therefore, cultivation of this vegetable under protected structures can prove to be a boon, ensuring higher yields and quality produce. Farmers are mainly concentrating on cultivation of coloured varieties, viz., Orobelle and Bomby, under these structures. Therefore, on-farm trials were laid out during the year 2007 in farmers' fields, with six hybrids of bell pepper (Orobelle, Bomby, Mahabharath, Tanvi, Tanvi Plus and US-26) replicated thrice in RBD at four locations. The aim was to provide a suitable substitute for the existing varieties. On studies revealed that Tanvi (yellow-fruited) and Tanvi Plus (red-fruited) were the best yielders when compared to varieties being grown by the farmers. Average plant height ranged from 100 to 160cm, fruit weight ranged from 205 to 280g/fruit and number of marketable fruits per plant varied from 11 to 23. Yield and (Benefit:Cost) B:C ratio for the two best hybrids, i.e., Tanvi and Tanvi Plus were 140.5t&127.3t ha^-1, and 2.37&2.06, respectively.