Performance of capsicum genotypes for horticultural traits and disease under protected structure vis-à-vis open condition in Pauri Garhwal region of Uttarakhand

Sweet pepper or Bell pepper (Capsicum annum L.) occupies a prominent position among green vegetables because of its export value. Vegetable production technology in general is not popularized yet in Garhwal region, where there is a wide scope of expansion in the hills. Evaluation of capsicum genotypes namely Bomby, Aishwarya, Bharath, Manhattan, Orobelle, Indira (hybrids), California Wonder, China Zohinger and Solan Bharpur (cultivars) was done for horticultural traits and Cercospora leaf spot disease (Cercospora capsici Heald & Wolf) under polytunnels and open field conditions. Growth and fruit yield of capsicum was significantly superior in polytunnels in comparison to field conditions. Under polytunnels crop was advanced by 15–20 days and an extending crop period of 25–30 days was recorded in comparison to open field conditions. Increase in yield over open field condition was recorded from 11.78 to 57.11%. Hybrids performed better over open pollinated cultivars. Throughout the course of investigation, only five genotypes (Bomby, Indira, California Wonder, Solan Bharpur and Manhattan) developed disease while Aishwarya, Bharath, Orobelle and China Zohinger remained disease free.