Capsicum : Capsicum annum L.
Introduction

Family    - Solanaceae
Centre of Origin    - Peru (South America)

Food values
Composition of 100g of edible portion of capsicum

Calories	291
Carbohydrates (%)	33
Protein (g)	15
Fat (g)	11
Calcium (mg)	150
Iron (mg)	9
Vitamin A ( g)	300
Carotene ( g)	600
Thiamine ( g)	300
Riboflavin ( g)	12

Medicinal value
Used to alleviate pain, cluster headache control, to cure or avoid cancer, etc.

Recommended Varieties

1. Hungarian Yellow Wax (HYW)
2. C.A. - 8

Field Establishment

Climatic requirements

Capsicum can be grown throughout the year upto an elevation of 1500 m. Supplementary irrigation is required during the yala season.
Loamy well-drined soils with pH range of 5.5 - 6.8 are preferred. Execusive soil moisture is detrimental to growth.

Seasonality- Any season

Crop Management

Major Pests diseases

Pests    :	Thrip (Seirtothrips dorsalis H.), Mites, Aphids,White fly, Pod borer.
Diseases :	Collar rot, Seedling rot, Anthracnose, Bacterial wilt, Leaf spot, Narrow leaf disorder, Leaf curl.

Harvesting & Post-harvest Technology

Yield potential

H.Y.W.	: 10 -15 t/ha
C.A - 8 (Wet zone)	: 6 - 8 t/ha
C.A - 8 (Dry zone)	: 10 - 15 t/ha

Economics & Marketing

Land extents under cultivation
Extent & production of capsicum during the period 1997 - 2001

Year	Area (ha)			Production (t)			Yield (t/ha) (National Average)
	Maha	Yala	Total	Maha	Yala	Total
1997	1551	1342	2893	6271	4937	11208	3.9
1998	1454	1448	2902	5771	5754	11525	4.0
1999	1438	1419	2857	6020	6142	12162	4.3
2000	1432	1336	2768	6074	6171	12245	4.4
2001	1474	1393	2867	6149	6257	12406	4.3

Source : Department of Census and statistics

Popular countries

China, Turkey, Nigeria, Mexico, Spain, U.S.A., Indonesia, Italy, Korea, Bulgaria, Netherlands, Egypt, Romania, Tunisia, Ghana, Japan.

Export market demand

There is an export potential for capsicum with fresh appearance and yellowish green colour. Also, the fruits should be uniform in size and shape with free of insect damage.