D. POUDYAL, P. POUDYAL, B.K. JOSHI, S.M. SHAKYA, K.P. SINGH, and K.C. DAHAL
Citation: Poudyal D, Poudyal P, Joshi BK, Shakya SM, Singh KP, Dahal KC (2023). Genetic diversity, production, and trade of chili with special reference to Nepal. SABRAO J. Breed. Genet. 55(1): 1-14. http://doi.org/10.54910/sabrao2023.55.1.1.
Summary
Chili is a popular spice crop in Nepal, a country with countless genetic diversity and a wider distribution covering areas from the tropics to the warm temperate regions. However, the exploitation of chili’s genetic potential to improve yield has faced challenges by different factors. An analytical study on genetic diversity, production challenges, and marketing opportunities of chili was still lacking in Nepal. This study aims to provide information on chili diversity, its distribution, and uses in Nepal, discussing the potential role of chili in Nepalese agriculture. Mainly, the study is a desk review complemented with a field study. Total chili production increases with an increasing area under cultivation over the years. In 2021, chili production covered 23,083 ha, 13% higher than in 2020. Per capita chili consumption is estimated at 9.8 kg in 2021. Diversity in chili phenotypes grown in the study area of Nepal has been noted. On a nine-point scale, higher variations showed in fruit traits (5 ± 1.5), floral morphology (4 ± 0.8 distinct types of flowers), leaf size (3 ± 0.7), plant height (3 ± 0.8), and maturity (3 ± 0.8) among chili genotypes in the area studied. Insect pests (15.6%) and diseases (16.4%) emerged as the main problems in chili cultivation, followed by drought stress (14.8%) and a shortage of fertilizers (10.1%). Marketing-related issues shared 2.7% among the 12 main concerns, particularly farmers who suffered more from inadequate market information. In addition, estimates on seed requirements, seed sources, existing chili varieties, and market segments also gained focus. The need for demand-based action research to strengthen Nepalese chili production and marketing proves imperative to fulfill the growing domestic demand and export potential.
Keywords: biotic and abiotic stress; chili production issues; hot pepper; phenotypic markers; and phenotyping
Key findings: Nepal is rich in chili genetic resources, with records of notable phenotypic variations for fruit traits (average of five distinct shapes, sizes, and orientations in seven studied locations), for flower characters (average of four different colors and orientations), for leaf characters (average of three distinct sizes), for plant height (three different heights), and maturity (three levels of maturity) during the field study. Chili serves as the most significant spice crop in Nepal. The total area coverage and chili production increased over the years. In 2021, a larger area of more than 23,000 ha gained cultivation, producing nearly 184,900 MT and a per capita consumption estimated at 9.8 kg. The main culprits of the low productivity (8 ± 0.3 MT/ha) of chili in the country consist of biotic factors (insect pests and pathogens) (49%), abiotic factors (drought stress and fertilizer shortage) (40%), and managerial limitations (11%).
N.Y. SIAL, M. FAHEEM, M.A. SIAL, A.R. ROONJHO, F. MUHAMMAD, A.A. KEERIO, M. ADEEL, S. ULLAH, Q. HABIB, and M. AFZAL
SUMMARY
Drought is the most devastating abiotic stress which has significantly threatened global wheat production. The recent study was designed to evaluate the performance of eight exotic wheat lines through the Drought Spring Bread Wheat Yield Trial (DSBWYT), along with a local drought-tolerant check cultivar, Khirman, under water-stressed conditions based on agronomic and yield-related traits. The experiment was conducted during cropping season 2019–2020 in a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Nuclear Institute of Agriculture (NIA), Tando Jam, Pakistan. The analysis of variance revealed that there was a significant difference among the genotypes for all studied traits. The genotype DSBWYT-8 possessed better agronomic traits and growth features like early growth vigor and early ground cover. On the other hand, the genotype DSBWYT-4 performed better in yield and yield-related traits like main spike yield, grains per spike, and 1000-grains weight. Both genotype revealed excellent plot grain yield and harvest index and were not significantly different from each other. The cluster analysis grouped all the genotypes into three clades. The droughttolerant local check cultivar Khirman clustered with genotypes DSBWYT-2, DSBWYT-4, and DSBWYT-8 thus, this clade can be regarded as drought tolerant. The second cluster comprised of two genotypes, i.e., DSBWYT-1 and DSBWYT-5, which performed relatively low as compared to genotypes present in the drought-tolerant cluster, whereas the genotypes DSBWYT-3, DSBWYT-6, and DSBWYT-7 clustered together to represent low yielding genotypes under drought condition as compared with the check cultivar Khirman. Based on these results, the genotypes DSBWYT-2, DSBWYT-4, and DSBWYT-8 can be recommended as the drought-tolerant genotypes. Keywords: Spring wheat, drought, yield components, agronomic traits
Citation: Mheidi UH, Alhabeeb MI, Shenawa MH (2025). Response of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) to planting times and foliar application of licorice extract. SABRAO J. Breed. Genet. 57(1): 359-365. http://doi.org/10.54910/sabrao2025.57.1.36.
Summary
The field study was commenced during the winter of 2020–2021 to study the effects of planting times and licorice extract foliar application on the growth, yield, and quality traits of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.), conducted at the city of Karma, Anbar Governorate, Iraq. The experiment layout had randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a split-plot arrangement, with two factors. The planting dates November 1 and 20 and December 10, 2020 were the first consideration; the second was the licorice extract with three concentrations 0, 20, and 40 g L-1. The results revealed early planting (first of November) of cumin led to a significant increase in all the studied traits compared with the medium- and late-planting dates. Licorice extract concentration (40 g L-1) effectively improved growth and production characters and enhanced the oil and protein content in cumin fruits (2.62% and 18.52%, respectively). In the interaction of early planting date (November 1) and licorice extract (40 g L-1), the highest yield (1.95 g plant-1) appeared compared with the late planting with the control treatment, which revealed the lowest yield (0.98 g plant-1). The results concluded increasing cumin fruit yield with improved proportions of oil and protein can result from the early planting and foliar application of licorice extract (40 g L-1).
Cumin (C. cyminum L.), planting times, licorice extract concentrations, photoperiods, fruits’ oil and protein content
Results revealed by adopting early planting with licorice concentration (40 g L-1), the cumin (C. cyminum L.) growth and yield traits and fruits’ oil and protein content can be considerably improved.