AGRONOMIC PERFORMANCE AND PROFITABILITY OF HYBRIDS OF Capsicum annuum L. CV. ANCHO SAN LUIS GROWN IN OPEN FIELD IN PERU

Abstract

Hybridization plays a crucial role in the production of Capsicum annuum, cv. Ancho San Luis. However, identifying hybrids with higher productivity and fruit quality under specific conditions requires comparative analyses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the agronomic performance and profitability of five hybrids of C. annuum cv. Ancho San Luis under open field conditions in Arequipa, Peru. The evaluated hybrids (Supernova, Almirante, Alteño, Sargento, and Conquistador) were distributed in a completely randomized block design. Plant height (cm), final root length (cm), number of flower buds, number of fruits, scald incidence (%), fruit size (length and width in cm, weight in g), color (°ASTA), total carotenoid pigment concentration (C_TP), pungency (SHU), yield and profitability were evaluated. The results were analyzed using linear mixed models, LSD-Fisher multiple comparisons test and Pearson's correlation, at a significance level of 95% (p-value<0.05). Sargento produced the fruits with the largest commercial size (22.64 g), with a low incidence of scalding (0.38% per plant). Conversely, Supernova presented fruits with the smallest commercial size (15.05 g), but they met export parameters. The highest number of fruits per plant was obtained by Supernova, being the most profitable hybrid (2.07%). It is concluded that it is necessary to continue the search for hybrids that surpass the quality and profitability of Supernova under open field conditions in Arequipa, Peru.