Innovative approaches to standardize seed production for maximizing yield in chilli (Capsicum annuum) var. Anand Tej

Abstract

A field study was conducted at Anand Agricultural University (AAU), Anand, during the 2023–25 seasons to standardize the transplanting date, fruit harvesting stage, and post-harvest ripening period for optimizing seed yield in Capsicum annuum var. Anand Tej. The experiment comprised 18 treatment combinations involving two transplanting dates (1st week of September and October), three fruit harvesting stages (170, 200 and 230 days after transplanting), and three post-harvest ripening durations (10, 20 and 30 days after harvest), arranged in a factorial randomized block design. Results revealed that transplanting in the first week of September significantly enhanced key yield parameters, including fruit weight, fruit length, plant height, number of fruits per plant, number of seeds per fruit, seed weight per fruit, seed weight per plant, and 1000-seed weight. Harvesting fruits at 200 days after transplanting followed by a 20-day post-harvest ripening period consistently produced the highest seed yield and quality. Therefore, early transplanting (first week of September), harvesting at 200 days, and a 20-day ripening period are recommended as an integrated strategy for maximizing seed yield and quality in chilli variety Anand Tej.