Determining the yield and quality characters and optimum drying methods of different ornamental pepper (capsicum sp.) species and lines

This study was carried out to determine the optimum of drying methods, yield and quality parameters of different ornamental pepper (Capsicum sp.) species and lines which were grown in Çukurova University, Agricultural Faculty, Field Crops Department Research and Application Areas, in 2003 and 2004. The field trials were arranged in randomized complete block design with three replicated. While different ornamental pepper species and lines were designed as main plots, harvest times were the sub-plots. In addition, small plots were dry conditions (cabin drying system (40, 60, 80 oC), solar type tunnel dryer, dried on sun). In this study, the yield and yield components (plant height, the number of branch, moisture content, capsaicin content, the number of fruits, fresh and dry yield) of different ornamental pepper species and lines were varied in both years. Fresh yield of these ornamental pepper species and lines were changed between 941.2 -2441.8 kg/da in both years. The highest fresh yield was observed from line C. frutescens 26 (2441.8 kg/da). It was determined that the fresh yield from the first harvest time was the higher than the others. Also, the lowest moisture in dry fruit was obtained from lines C. frutescens 35 and C. frutescens 26 as 6.49 % and 6.51 % respectively, in working electric cabinet dryer (80 oC). In 2003, the highest quantity of capsaicin was obtained in the second harvest. The highest capsaicin content was observed from line C. chinense 38 (2.39 %). In different drying methods, while the highest percent of capsaicin (2.24 %) was obtained from drying model in 40 oC which was working with electric energy in cabin dryer, the lowest percent of capsaicin (1.86 %) was obtained from drying model in Solar type tunnel dryer. Keywords: Capsicum, capsaicin, moisture, drying methods, yield, quality.