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Although pepper is classified as a self-pollinated
crop, its out-crossing rate may sometimes exceed 90%. Cross-pollination
is primarily caused by bees; therefore isolating the crop from
bees is very important. Cross-pollination is less often caused
by other insects (thrips and ants), and rarely by wind. |
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Optimum isolation can be achieved by growing
the crop at least 200 meters away from other pepper lines,
by covering the pepper plants with 16-mesh nylon nets to keep
out bees, or by growing plants inside an enclosed greenhouse
or screenhouse.
Keep in mind that sweet and chili peppers
will cross with one another. |
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If optimum isolation is not possible, plant
the crop on a large plot (at least one hectare). Plant tall barrier
crops such as sugarcane, maize or sorghum around the pepper plot
to restrict the movement of bees into and out of the plot. Collect
fruits only from the central part of the plot. Even so, some
contamination is likely. |
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Seed impurities can also occur from off-type
plants within the seed production field. Inspect
the field at least twice - before flowering and before harvest.
Remove any off-type plants (this is called roguing).
These off-types can arise from volunteer plants from previous
crops, cross-pollination in the previous seed crop, seed mixtures,
mutations, or damage to the plant.
Plants suffering from viral and some
other types of diseases should also be removed. Let's talk more on this… |
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