Seed Quality Responses of Two Chilli Pepper Varieties (Capsicum frutescens l.) to Different Planting Dates

Field and laboratory experiments were carried out between April 2015 and March 2016 to evaluate the effects of planting dates on seed physiological quality and health characteristics of two varieties of chilli pepper. The field trial was laid out in 2x3 factorial experiment in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The factors studied included two chilli varieties (Shito Adope and Legon-18) and three planting dates (May 12, 2015; June 13, 2015 and September 29, 2015). The field study was conducted at the Crops Research Institute-Kwadaso Station, Kumasi, Ghana. There were significant varieties x planting dates interaction for the number of days to 50% flowering and number of days to 50% fruiting traits. Shito Adope planted in June took the shortest time to flower, significantly earlier than the other treatment combinations yet similar to that of Shito Adope planted in May. For fruit set, Shito Adope planted in May took the shortest time to set fruit, significantly earlier than the other treatment combinations yet similar to that of Shito Adope planted in June. Varieties x planting dates interaction had significant for the number of fruits per plant trait. Shito Adope planted in May produced the highest number of fruits per plant although not different from the number produced by Legon-18 planted in June. Higher seed germination percentages (89.9%) were recorded by seed produced from May planting. September planting resulted in high seed yield parameters such as number of seeds per fruit (77.3), seed weight per fruit (0.40g) and 1000 seed weight (5.00g). Non-significant interactions between the treatments for seed vigor were found. The highest occurrence of fungal pathogens was observed on seeds arising from May planting while the least occurrence was recorded on seeds arising from September planting. The study concluded that the genotype and environmental conditions interactively influenced flowering and seed quality traits. Shito Adope, planted in May recorded the highest number of aborted flowers whereas Legon-18 planted in September produced the highest number of seeds per fruit as well as the heaviest seed weight per fruit. The higher germination percentage was however recorded by seed produced from May planting.