Evaluation of capsicum varieties in low & mid altitude areas in Central Province, Papua New Guinea

A preliminary investigation was carried out to assess the productivity of several varieties of capsicum in different agro-ecological zones of Central Province. Field experiments were conducted from June to November 2011 to determine high yielding varieties in low and mid altitude areas of Central Province. In the low dry land conditions six varieties of sweet pepper (capsicum) were evaluated at Laloki (altitude 30 masl; 9° 22.37′ S and 147° 15.18′ E; temperature- max 32–30 °C and min 23–19 °C.) and in the mid altitude area of Sogeri (altitude 650 masl, Temperature - max 30–27 °C and min 19–16 °C), where only four varieties of capsicum was evaluated as compared to six varieties evaluated in Laloki. Initial findings suggest that SRC-CF 5, SRC CF 6 and Giant Bell appeared to be most promising in terms of their yield and productivity in the low altitude area. Giant Bell variety also proved promising with a significant difference in yield among the other three varieties tested in the mid altitude conditions of Central Province. However these varieties need to be evaluated further at additional locations under varying management practices to develop recommendations on varietal choice and appropriate cropping practices.