Enhancing production of Naga chilli (Capsicum chinense) in Mizoram under polyhouse condition

                                                            B K Singh

Agricomplex Newsletter 25 (2): 2, 2010

Email: bksinghkushinagar@yahoo.co.in

Two genotypes of Naga chilli were transplanted in polyhouse during Mid January at inter- and intra-row spacing of 75 cm. The polyhouse is cladded with 6 mm poly-carbonated UV stabilized sheet, 40 mesh nylon side-net and roof shading with 50 % green colour shading-net. The plant height varied from 2.5-3.1 m and number of fruits ranged from 109-175/ plant for total cropping season of 8 months. The average green fruit weight varied from 4.103-4.390 g. The fruit yield performance in polyhouse was realized excellent, i.e. 19.5 kg from an area of 25 m² (78 kg/ 100 m²).

Solanum macrocarpon: Leafy vegetable of Mizoram

B K Singh, K A Pathak, Y Ramakrishna, V K Verma and B C Deka

ICAR News: A Science and Technology Newsletter 16 (3): 5, 2010

Email: bksinghkushinagar@yahoo.co.in

Solanum macrocarpon (African eggplant/ nightshade) commonly known as Satinrem in Mizo language, had originated from the wetter parts of tropical and subtropical Africa; where wild and cultivated forms occur. In Indonesia and Malaysia, it is being cultivated from the sea level to 600 m; and it has been somehow introduced in north-eastern states of India. It is a glabrous, erect, branched, herbaceous, reaching up to 1.5 m with blackish-violet stem that is woody at the base. Its flowers are complete, actinomorphic, hermaphrodite and perfect. Anthesis occurs at about 5-8 AM. Fruits are light-green when immature and are yellow-brown at maturity. It is traditionally used as a leafy vegetable by Mizo community. Young leaves are usually cooked and used in curry, meat and soup. Leaves are first harvested after 50-60 days of transplanting. Its fresh leaves have 4.3% protein, 0.6% fat, 1.4% crude fibres, 1.3% ash and 89.7% moisture. Morphologically and biologically Solanum macrocarpon is very close to brinjal (Solanum melongena). And this can be used as a genetic resource for improving agronomic traits in brinjal.