Introduction

        Sweet pepper (Capsium annuum L.) also known as capsium, kampana or lara is the most widely used condiment all over the world. It is consumed fresh, dried or processed. There are several types: green, yellow, orange, violet, and brown. Popular varieties are California Wonder (short bell) and Lanuyo (long bell).

Market and trade

        Production area covers 1,141 ha including other sweet pepper types. Market prices range from P10/kg during the regular season, to P150/kg during the off-season. Pizza parlors, which require regular supply in big volume, are lucrative markets for the vegetable. There are also processors requiring bigger volumes at a lower price.

Production Management

Varieties

Variety                                   Shape                         Color                         Remarks
California Wonder                   short bell                        Green                             OP
Yolo Wonder                          short bell                        Green                             OP
Green 500                              long bell                         Green                              F1
Rain Hardy                             short bell                        Green                              F1
Annabel                                 short bell                        Green                              F1
Blondy                                   short bell                        Yellow                             F1
Islander                                  long bell                         Violet F1
King Arthur                             long bell                         Green                             F1

Climatic and Soil Requirements

       Sweet pepper requires cool weather for best fruit quality. In low elevations, October to December planting is best. In mid and high elevations, it can be grown throughout the year.

       Sweet pepper grows well in any type of soil with a pH of 5.5-6.5. Production is best, however, in sandy loam soil.

Seedling Production

       One hectare requires 100-200 g of seeds. It is best to produce in nurseries and transplant 3-4 weeks later. Prepare seedbeds by incorporating 2-4 kg of manure and 1-2 kg rice hull charcoal/m2. Prepare 1-m wide beds at any convenient length. Water first, and then make lines across the bed at 7-10 cm apart. Sow thinly if no pricking will be done. Cover lightly with manure and mulch with rice hull. In case of hybrid seeds, prick to nursery trays soon after germination. Provide temporary shade. Harden seedlings one week before transplanting.

Land Preparation

       Prepare the area thoroughly. For small areas, make plots 0.75-1m 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.

Mulching

        Use mulch to control weeds and promote better growth. Rice hull, rice straw or plastic may be used. In the case of the latter, make beds 1-m wide and incorporate the required manure and fertilizer. Spread the mulch, covering the sides with soil. Make holes 0.5 m x 0.5 m apart.

Maintenance

        Irrigate weekly. Weed 2-3 times during the growing season. It is best to intercrop other vegetables such as kutsai and garlic as well as marigold to help minimize incidence of insect pests.

       Side-dress with urea (46-0-0) every two weeks at 5-10 g/hill depending on plant growth. At the onset of fruiting, use 1:1 mixture of 46-0-0 and 0-0-60.

Pests and Disease Management

Insect Pests/Diseases                                              Recommendations

Aphids                                                               Intercropping; hot pepper spray, organophosphate.
Spider mites                                                      Intercropping; spray with miticide.
Cutworm                                                            Hot pepper spray; Bacillus thuringiensis 
Fruit fly                                                              Sanitation; fruit fly attractant.
Fruit & shoot borer                                             Sanitation; hot pepper spray; synthetic pyrethroids.
Bacterial wilt                                                     Sanitation; use of resistant variety; avoidance.
Nematodes                                                        Application of chicken manure; intercropping with                                                                           marigold.
Anthracnose                                                      Crop rotation; sanitation, spray with Benlate
Leaf spot diseases                                             Sanitation; spray with Mancozeb, Benlate
Virus diseases                                                   Refrain from smoking in the vicinity; rouging

Harvesting

       Start harvesting at 80-100 days from transplanting or 3-6 weeks after flowering. Harvest mature green fruits.

Post Harvest

      Sort fruits according to market standard and separate damaged fruits. Fresh fruits can be stored up to 5 weeks at 40C and 95% humidity.

Costs and Return Analysis Per Hectare

ITEMS AMOUNT (P)
I. VARIABLE COSTS P 74,450
A. Labor (P150/MD) 
    Plowing 1,500
    Harrowing 1,000
    Bedding 1,500
    Manure application 2,000
    Seedling production (15 MD) 2,250 
    Mulching w/ rice straw 
    (15 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) 4,500
    Manure (10 t) 10,000
    Fertilizers 
      14-14-14 (5 bags) 1,750
      46-0-0 ( 5 bags) 1,900 
      0-0-60 (2 bags) 1,200
  Chemical spray 7,000
  Fuel & Oil 5,000 
  Miscellaneous 5,000
  Sub-total 36,350

II. FIXED COSTS 18,063
    Land rental 5,000
   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. 12,000
TOTAL COSTS 92,513
GROSS INCOME a 140,000-220,000
NET INCOME 47,487-127,487
a With marketable yield of 7-11 t/ha at P20/kg