Capsicum
(called pilipili hoho ) are a hardy type of plant. It is rarely attacked by
diseases or pests though it still needs proper preventive care. Capsicum
farming in Kenya does best in hot areas the likes of the greater Eastern
Province, Coastal region, temperate central areas etc.
Varieties
of Capsicum Farming in Kenya
Most
commercial varieties are hybrids. These varieties have a green primary mature
colour, but may also be yellow. They also have a secondary mature colour that
is red, but may also be orange or yellow or other colours.
Capsicums picked at this stage are much sweeter than green capsicums and
have more pro-vitamin A.There are also black, cream, and brown and lime
coloured varieties.
New
varieties that are more resistant to disease, produce higher yields of
capsicum, produce more uniform capsicum or be more suited to the latest market
requirements for quality are always been introduced to the market.
Requirements
on Farming Capsicum in Kenya
Soil: Soil requirements for
capsicums are not strict as they can grow on most well-drained loamy or heavy
cracking clay soils with an optimum pH range of 6.0 to 6.5.
Temperature: Capsicums are sensitive to
frost and the optimum temperatures for proper growth is 15 to 25ºC.
Altitude: The Capsicums grow well in
altitudes of up to 2,000 metres above sea level.
Season: The low night temperatures
in July and August in Kenya are good for this crop.
Spacing: Seeds should be sown in
drilled rows spaced 15cm and thinly covered with soil.
Top
dressing: When
the capsicums reach 15cm, top-dress with 100kg/ha of nitrogen (from CAN or
equivalent source) and four weeks later another 200kg/ha should be applied.
Seed
Germination: Seeds
take 12 to 21 days to germinate with optimum soil temperatures of between 13 to
21 degrees centigrade.
Thinning:
Thinning
or pricking out should be done to a final seedling spacing of 5cm to allow
growth of healthy seedlings.
Fertilizer
Application: At
planting, 250kg/ha of double super phosphate fertiliser should be applied.When
the capsicums reach 15cm, top-dress with 100kg/ha of nitrogen (from CAN or
equivalent source) and four weeks later another 200kg/ha should be applied and
compost manure is used in the nursery.
Pinching
out: As
part of horticultural management to maximise production, the growing tips can
be pinched out when the plants are 3cm high to encourage branching.
Seed
Rate: Capsicum
seed rate is 0.5kg/ha in the nursery and 1kg/ha for direct sowing.
Creation
of Nursery during Capsicum Farming
It is
from the nursery that planting starts. Sunken or Raised nurseries can be made
though sunken nurseries are preferred since they retain water more than raised
nurseries. After sowing the seeds, it takes about 2-3 weeks for them to
germinate. Capsicums will be ready for transplanting after 6 weeks.
Seedling
beds can be lightly shaded in the first two weeks of germination and seedling
development and watering done twice a day if in a hot environment.
In the
nursery, add a small amount of totally dry compost manure and mix
thoroughly with the top soil. Adding manure on the nursery ensures a strong and
healthy seedling hence a healthy capsicum (pilipili hoho) when transplanted.
In
a capsicum nursery, ensure that the distance between the rows is about
1.5 inches. This will help leave enough space for watering and spraying
On
spraying, if mornings are too cold, spray the nursery with a mild mix of mildew
preventive herbicide. Do not spray anything else on the nursery; remember the
seedlings are too weak for any strong sprays or fertilizers.
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| Capsicum under open field drip irrigation installed and maintained by Dripsol Company. |
Transplanting
of Capsicum Farming in Kenya
Transplant
in the evenings or early in the morning though it can also be done during the
day with no adverse effects. One week before transplanting, harden off the
capsicum seedlings by reducing frequency of watering gradually, don’t do it
abruptly. On the day of transplanting, wet the nursery enough to wet the soil
and allow easy uprooting of the capsicum seedlings from the nursery
without damaging the roots. A garden trowel should be used to uproot the seedlings.
Have the farm field irrigated before planting to allow easy planting.
Planting
on the farm field is done on wet furrows by pressing the seedling down with
your index finger deep enough – roughly one inch this is by creating of
irrigated furrows
Plant the
seedlings on both sides of each furrow. Make sure the capsicum seedlings are
planted close to the floor of the furrow to make sure the plant has maximum
uptake of irrigated water.
First 2-3
Capsicum leaves dropping off
Note that the just transplanted capsicums
will loose the first 2-3 leaves. At planting, 250kg/ha of double super
phosphate fertiliser should be applied.
Pests
likely to affect Capsicum Farming in Kenya
Spider
Mites attack: These are
very small red mites. They mostly survive in hot weather and under intense heat
and windy conditions can quickly multiply and spread even to nearby farms.
During dry weather farmers can spend lots of money on sprays to prevent or cure
spider mite attacks.
Note that
spider mites can be extensively destructive, clearing a whole crop at any
stage. They are a big headache to a farmer.
Thrips
attack: These
mostly attack the flowers. They are less sited on capsicums but it is good to
always spend some time hunting for them weekly. You will have to sample quite a
number of flowers across the field. Hold the flower carefully and look inside
for any insects.
White
Flies Attack: For White
Flies, you can sight them early in the morning by tapping on the crops. You
will see them flying off in big numbers. They have little effect on the
crop.They mostly come around during the rainy and cold seasons.
Cutworms: This nocturnal caterpillar curls
around seedling stems and eats through them. They are controlled by using
cutworm collars and applying beneficial nematodes to the soil.
Common
Diseases of Capsicum Farming in Kenya
Early/Late
Blight: This
makes the leaves start folding up. That means less photosynthesis, hence a poor
fruit and crop. At the end, low harvest.
Blossom-end
rot: The
disorder is caused by lack of calcium. It creates dark brown or black spots on
immature fruits. To overcome it, plants should be evenly watered to ensure a
steady flow of calcium to the fruits, especially at the forming stage.
Damping-off: Here, seedlings suddenly fall
over and rot. This is caused by fungus and can be prevented by keeping the soil
in which seedlings grow slightly dry to avoid excessive watering.
Root-knot
nematodes: These
are microscopic soil-dwelling worms that can invade roots and make them wilt.
They can be eradicated by growing a cover crop of marigolds or rye in infested
fields for rotation
Irrigation
of Capsicum Farming in Kenya
Capsicums
need uniform soil moisture conditions for high production. Dry periods may
cause shedding of flowers and young fruits, and blossom end rot on the fruit.
During hot weather, water crops in sandy soil twice daily.
Trickle irrigation is recommended when combined with black plastic mulch, this
results in fewer weeds and a saving in water. It is also useful for capsicums
under cloches to increase soil temperatures in cooler weather.
Harvesting
of Capsicum
Harvesting
starts 2.5 to three months after planting and can continue for four to six
months with good management. Only mature fruits should be picked and packaged
for market. Sweet peppers should be harvested when filled out and still green.
Harvested
fruits should be placed under shade for grading, sorting, and packaging to
avoid shrivelling. Export produce should conform to the required standards with
respect to quality, packaging and labelling.
