Evaluation of Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) Genotypes and their Interaction with Foliar Application of NAA during Spring Summer Season under Foot Hills of Himalayas in Uttarakhand

An experiment involving twenty four genotypes of chilli and three created environments (E₀ – No spray, E₁ – Single spray on NAA @ 40 ppm and E₂ – Double spray of NAA @ 40 ppm) was carried out during spring summer season at Vegetable Research Centre, Pantnagar to determine the best genotype, suitable environment and their interactions for higher production of chilli. Out of the three environments, E₂ was found better for red ripen fruit yield, number of fruits/plant, 100-seed weight, seed : husk ratio, minimum incidence of disease viz., anthracnose and leaf curl virus, whereas, significant variations were observed for all the 18 characters studied. Among genotypes viz., G₂₃ (PC-2062), G₂₄ (PC-2064) and G₂₂ (PC-2057) produced significantly more number of fruits/plant and G₂₀ (PC-7) followed by G₂₁ (PC-56) and G₂ (Co-4) performed better for weight of fruits/plant. Genotypes G₂₃ and G₂₁ produced 110.26 and 71.60 per cent higher yield over check variety Pant C-1, respectively. Longest fruits (13.59 cm) were obtained in G₂₀ (PC-7) .More number and weight of seeds/fruit were recorded in G₂₂ (PC-2057). Out of all the 72 interactions, G₂₃E₁ was found better for number and weight of fruits/ plant whereas, G₂₃E₁ (254.42 q/ha), G₂₂E₁ and G₂E₂ produced higher red ripen fruit yield over rest of the interactions.