Abstract:
Chilli (Capsicum annuum) is widely cultivated in Sri Lanka. The study aimed to evaluate
the vegetable growth, agronomic traits and yield performance of eight chilli varieties under
Low Country Intermediate Zone condition, considering the influence of different
environmental conditions and intercropping with a leguminous crop. The experiment was
conducted at the Hasalaka, Kandy district (central province), Sri Lanka. The chilli
(Caps icum annuum) varieties : MIC H0 1, KA 0 2, G alkiriyagama sele ction, MI War aniya 0 l,
MI 01, MI HOT, MICH}I-Hybrid, and MI 02, which were evaluated using a Complete
Randomized Design (CRD) with ten replicates. The chilli variety MI HOT and the
mungbean variety MI 05 were selected for the intercropping study. The intercropping
experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three
replicates. Plant height at vegetative stage varied from .Galkiriyagama Selection
(17 .41+0.728 cm) to MI02 (10.42+ 0.365 cm) respectively. Number of leaves at vegetative
stage varied from MICH 0-3 (9.88+1 .17) to MI Waraniya 01 (7.60 + 0.476) respectively.
Leaf length leaf at vegetative stage varied from MI 01(8.10+0.120cm) to MI 02 (3.86 +
0.0718cm) respectively.Leaf width at vegetative stage varied from MI Waraniya 01 (4.83
+ 0.111cm) to MI 02 (2.30 + 0.0856cm) respectively. The number of branches at vegetative
stage varied from K4 02 (2.10 + 1.370) to MI 02 (0.700+0.260) respectively. The number
of flowers at flowering stage varied from MI Waraniya to Galkiriyagama selection
respectively. In the Low Country Intermediate Zone (LCIZ), plant height was similar
between intercropping (8.20 + 0.15 cm) and monocropping (8.12 + 0.21cm). Leaf number
and branch number were slightly higher under intercropping (8.06 + 0.77,3.86 + 0.038)
compared to monocropping (9.04 + 0.16 and 3.60 + 0.0589). Leaf area and leaf width
showed minimal differences between the two systems, and no viable nodules were
observed under either systems. During this period, the site experienced warm, dry
conditions (30.42-35.5oC, 0-1 .79mmrainfall, declining humidity from 89%o to 78.1o/o, and
slightly longer day lengths of 11 :46-11:55hr), which likely constrained vegetative growth,
indicating that intercropping offered only marginal benefits under LCIZ conditions.
