Management and yield of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) : a case study from Punakha District, Bhutan

The objective of this study was to produce an accurate estimate of the yields of green chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) grown under village management condition in Punakha district, western Bhutan. The study also considered important agronomic factors of productions such as types and usage of fertilizers, chilli varieties, planting density, spacing, methods of sowing and transplanting. A total of 50 farming households from two Gewogs (sub-districts) of Talo and Guma were selected in Punakha. Of these, 24 households cultivated chilli using farmyard manure (FYM) and 26 used FYM and inorganic fertilizers (FYM+I). Farmers were interviewed about their farming practices. Yields were recorded on a weekly basis for six weeks within demarcated plots of 5x5 meters in farmers' fields. Soil samples from the sites were collected and analysed for soil nutrient status. Results indicated a very large variation in the yields of fresh green chilli. The average yield was estimated to be 23 t/ha, with the highest yield 37.6 t/ha and lowest 13.6 t/ha. Fertilizer applications also showed wide variations in rates and types. No significant correlations could be established between yield and any factor of production, including fertilizer use and type. The weak relationships seem to derive from a number of issues including farmers' individual methods of cultivating chilli, differences in level of inputs, limited resources and labour shortage. The soil fertility status was found to be relatively low, although there was an abundance of some elements of soil nutrients in the FYM cultivated sites. It is suggested that research centres in the region should conduct more on-station research trials, to establish science-based extension advice for chilli farmers and narrow the variation in the yields of chilli. This will improve the predictability of chilli yields, which is of great interest to farmers. It should be possible to increase the current average yield from 23 t/ha to 30-35 t/ha, develop and recommend the optimum use of fertilizers for chilli production, preserve the local chilli provenance through breeding programs and develop simple, tested agronomic practices which suit farming system which have limited access to human labour