ABSTRACT
The genus Capsicum, which is commonly known as chilli, “red chile”, “chilli peppers”, “hot red pepper”, “tabasco”, “paprika”, “cayenne”, etc., is a member of the family Solanaceae. This genus has approximately 22 wild species and five domesticated species (Table 6.1) namely Capsicum annuum, Capsicum frutescens, Capsicum baccatum, Capsicum chinense and Capsicum pubescens (Bosland, 1994). It is a small perennial shrub and the fruit is a berry. The Capsicum plant grows optimally in conditions of 7.27C with annual precipitation of 0.3-4.6 m and a soil pH of 4.3-8.7 (Simon et al., 1984). They grow best in well drained, sandy or silt-loam soil and are cold sensitive. Plantings are established by seedling or transplanting. Hot and dry weather is desirable for the fruit ripening.
