ABSTRACT

The rapid population increase and land scarcity calls for an alternative means of production system for sustenance of the human race. This prompted an investigation into the growth, yield and consumer acceptance of sweet pepper (Capsicum anuum L) as influenced by open field and greenhouse production systems at the University of Ghana Forest and Horticultural Crops Research Centre, Okumaning – Kade in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The experiment was conducted in the minor season (dry season) from October 2014 to March 2015.

A 2×9 factorial was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The experiment consisted of two production systems (greenhouse and open field) and nine varieties of sweet pepper (California Wonder- CW, Yolo Wonder -YW, Kulkukan- KK, F1 Nobile- FN, Crusader- CS, Guardian-GD, Embella 733- EM and Caribbean Red- CR, Pepper 1-P1). Growth indices (plant height, girth, leaf number, biomass dry weight and chlorophyll content) and yield components (fruit length, width, seed number, fruit number per plant fruit weight) of sweet pepper plant were ascertained. It was done to elucidate the difference of growth and development among the varieties as well as their consumer acceptance with regard to greenhouse and open field production systems.

The results obtained indicated that, the greenhouse system significantly affected the growth and yield parameters. Crusader-CS, Kulkukan- KK and California Wonder- CW, significantly had a higher, growth, development and fruit yield enhanced in the greenhouse; California- CW and Crusader- CS also responded significantly in the open

field with Yolo Wonder attaining higher net returns. Results also demonstrated that the greenhouse varieties were highly preferred and accepted by consumers than the open field and this may be attributed to its higher quality.