Introduction

     Hot pepper (Capsicum Frutescens L.) or siling labuyo, is a perennial plant with small, tapering fruits, often 2-3, at a node. The fruits of most varieties are red, some are yellow purple or black. The fruits are very pungent. The flowers are greenish white or yellowish white.

Uses and Nutritional Value

     Hot pepper is used generally as a condiment. Its extracts are also used to control borers and other larval insects.

     Each 100 g edible portion contains:


Nutrient                                   Amount
Water                                        86.0 g
Protein                                      1.9 g
Fat                                           1.9 g
Carbohydrates                           9.2 g
Iron                                          1.2 mg
Calcium                                   14.4 mg
Vitamin A                                 700-21600 IU
Vitamin C                                242.0 mg
Energy Value                           257.0 kJ

Production Management

Varieties

Varieties                                  Description
Matikas                               long, tapering, smooth, dark green fruits, wildmild pungency; cooking type
C-1550                                Smooth, light green en fruits, with mild pungency; cooking type
Inokra                                  Long, tapering, slightly wrinkled, light green fruits, not pungent; cooking type
Pasas                                 2-3 cm long, dark green to deep red shiny fruits, extremely pungent

Climatic and Soil Requirements

      Hot pepper can be grown from low to mid elevation throughout the year. Production is best, however, during the cool, dry months of October to March in sandy loam soil.

Seedling Production

      Lines sow 200-250 g of seeds in a seedbed prepared from a mixture of equal parts of animal manure, rice hull charcoal and soil. Make shallow lines spaced 10-15 cm apart. Water before and after sowing. Mulch with rice hull and straw. Provide partial shade. Water regularly. Harden the seedling one week before transplanting.

Land Preparation

      Prepare the area thoroughly. For small areas, make plots 0.75-1 m wide for two-row/plot planting. In bigger areas, make furrows 0.5-0.75 m apart for single-row planting. Apply basal fertilizer at 5-7 bags/ha 14-14-14 and 5-10 t/ha manure. Transplant at a spacing of 0.3-0.5 m between hills.

Transplanting

     Hot pepper grows best under full sunlight although it can also tolerate partial shade. Transplant raised beds I m wide and about 20-30 cm high. The spacing between hills and rows is 30-50 cm with two rows in each bed. Make holes in the beds and place a handful of compost or animal manure. Place 1-2 seedlings in the hole and cover with soil, pressing lightly near the stem for maximum contact between roots and soil. Water immediately after transplanting.

     Hot pepper can also be grown in clay pots, cans, and plastic bags. It can be treated as an ornamental if maintained properly.

Fertilization

     Hot pepper responds well to inorganic fertilizer. However, animal manure and compost are better sources of nutrients. Another alternative is to grow hot pepper around basket composts.

Irrigation

     Apply water once a week or as needed. Watering is needed in container-grown plants. Mulching in both plots and containers can cut watering by at least 50%. Grasses, paper, sawdust, manure and plastic sheets can be used for mulching.

    Apply water once a week or as needed. Watering is needed in container-grown plants. Mulching in both plots and containers can cut watering by at least 50%. Grasses, paper, sawdust, manure and plastic sheets can be used for mulching.

Pest and Disease Management

    The main diseases of hot pepper are bacterial wilt and viruses. Bacterial wilt is soilborne and difficult to control. Wilting in fully-grown plants is usually due to bacterial wilt. Grow in containers with sterilized soil instead. Viruses are systemic, so pull out and bury infected plants (mosaic, leaf curling, fern-like leaves) to prevent spread of diseases through insect vectors.

    The major insect pests of pepper are thrips, mites, armyworm, fruit fly and shoot borers. Thrips is a problem during the dry season and can be managed by overhead irrigation. Removing damaged fruits and shoots can manage shoot and fruit borer.

Harvesting

    Harvesting mature green or fully ripened red fruits. Pack in plastic crates, cartons, or bamboo crates lined with banana leaves.

    Seeds can also be extracted from the red fruits. Air-dry and sun-dry seeds for 3-5 days. Place in plastic bags or clear bottles, seal and store in a cool, dry place or inside the refrigerator. Label properly to indicate variety and date of harvest.

Cost and Return Analysis Per Hectare

ITEMS                                                         AMOUNT (P)
I. VARIABLE COSTS                                   P 72,375 
A. Labor  (P150/MD) 
    Plowing                                         1,500
    Harrowing (2x)                                1,000
    Bedding                                         1,500
    Manure application                         2,000
    Seedling production (15 MD)            2,250 
    Mulching w/ rice straw 
    (8 MD)                                           2,250
    Transplanting (10 MD)                     1,500
    Fertilization; basal (2 MD) &            1,200
    side-dress (6 MD)
    Irrigation (64 MD)                            9,600
    Spraying ( 32 MD)                          4,800
    Weeding (30 MD)                           4,500
    Harvesting (20 MD)                         3,000
    Miscellaneous (20 MD)                   3,000
                 Sub-total                         38,100

B. Materials
    Seeds (200 g//ha)                           2,000 
    Animal manure (10 t)                     10,000
    Fertilizers 
      14-14-14 (5 bags)                         1,750
      46-0-0 ( 5 bags)                            2,325 
      0-0-60 (2 bags)                             1,200
   Chemical spray                                7,000
   Fuel & Oil                                        5,000 
   Miscellaneous                                  5,000
                  Sub-total                         34,275

II. FIXED COSTS                               23,463
   Land rental                                     10,000
   Depreciation
     5 pcs. Scythe (2 yrs)                           63
     5 pcs. Hoe ( 2 yrs)                            125
     3 pcs. Shovel (3 yrs)                           75
     2 knapsack sprayers (5 yrs)               800 
Interest on Loans at 20% int. p.a.        12,400
TOTAL COSTS                                 95,838
GROSS INCOME a             200,000-250,000
NET INCOME                      104,162-154,162
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a With marketable yield of 8-10 t/ha at P25/kg