Why is chili pepper one of people's favorite?

Pepper is one of the favorite vegetables, which contains high vitamin C and capsaicin. It can remove dampness and cold, promote blood circulation and enhance resistance after eating. Its spicy fragrance can also stimulate taste buds and increase appetite. It has been widely planted since it was introduced into China 300 years ago.

In recent years, with the continuous improvement of people's living standards, the quality requirements of pepper are also getting higher and higher. Of course, in order to grow a good pepper, it is essential to understand some of the growth characteristics of pepper.

Biological characteristics of Capsicum

Root system: The root system of hot pepper is underdeveloped and the main root is strong, and the number of roots is small, so the growth rate of root system is not fast. Root groups were mostly distributed in the 20-25 cm tillage layer, and root regeneration ability was weak.

Stem: erect, weak shade force of axillary bud, small crown, suitable for close planting. After flower bud appeared at the top of stem, lateral bud germinated below, forming two or three branches, fruit was born at the branch. Later, these branches branch out again, so continuously, branches continue to increase.

Leaves: Unifoliate alternate, oval or oblong. 4-13 cm long, 1.5-4 cm wide, entire, apex short acuminate or acute, base narrowly wedge-shaped, petiole 4-7 cm long.

Flowers: mostly white, pubescent pepper flowers are purple. Hot pepper is monoecious and can self-pollinate, while the natural crossing probability of hot pepper is more than 10%.

Fruit: There is a large cavity in the fruit. The adjacent wall formed by the protrusion of the pericarp is divided into 2 to 4 compartments. The adjacent wall is also called "gluten". It is the hot part of hot pepper.

Seeds: Pale yellow or milky white flattened, kidney-shaped, 1000-grain weight 3-6 grams. The life span of seeds is usually between 5 and 7 years, but the actual life span is only 2 to 3 years.

Growth Cycle of Pepper

The growth cycle of Capsicum includes four stages: germination stage, seedling stage, flowering and fruit setting stage and fruit bearing stage.

Germination stage: From seed germination to the first true leaf, it is the germination stage, usually about 10 days. Nutrients at germination stage are mainly supplied by seeds, and the absorptive capacity of young roots is very weak.

Seedling stage: from the first true leaf to the first bud to the seedling stage. It takes 50 to 60 days. The seedling stage is divided into two stages: before 2-3 true leaves, the basic vegetative growth stage; after 4 true leaves, the vegetative growth and reproductive growth proceed simultaneously.

Flowering and fruit setting period: from budding of the first flower to fruit setting of the first flower is flowering and fruit setting period, usually 10-15 days. During this period, the contradiction between vegetative growth and reproductive growth was prominent. The growth and development were regulated by controlling water and fertilizer, and hoeing, and the relationship between vegetative growth and reproductive growth, and between the above-ground and underground growth was balanced.

Result period: The period from the first fruit setting to the end of harvest belongs to fruiting period, which lasts for a long time, usually about 50-120 days. In the fruiting stage, reproductive growth was dominant, and vegetative growth continued, which required a lot of water and fertilizer. In this period, water and fertilizer management should be strengthened, good cultivation conditions should be created, seedlings and fruits should be flourished, and continuous fruits should be promoted, so as to achieve the goal of high harvest.

Environmental needs of peppers

Temperature: The optimum temperature for pepper germination is 25 C, and it is difficult to germinate below 15 C. The optimum temperature during the growing period is 22-28 C in the daytime and 15-20 C in the night. When the temperature is lower than 15 C or higher than 35 C, pollination is abnormal, which often results in flower falling and fruit falling.

Illumination: Capsicum is a short-day crop. It blossoms and fruits early and normally under 10-12 hours of light every day, but it can also adapt to longer sunshine. Require moderate intensity of light, insufficient light will reduce fruit setting rate; direct light, plant growth slowed down.

Moisture: The root system of pepper is weak, neither drought nor waterlogging tolerance. It needs water supply regularly to grow well. But the field can not accumulate water. When the field accumulates less water, the plants will wilt and die in pieces.

Soil: Capsicum pepper is not strict with soil conditions. It can choose soils with high topography, good air permeability, fertility and convenient irrigation and drainage. It can avoid choosing low-lying plots with accumulated water and avoid continuous cropping with Solanaceae crops.

Key Points of Pepper Cultivation Techniques

Seed treatment

Sunning seeds: It can promote the seed ripening, reduce the moisture content of the seeds and improve the permeability of the seed coat. Generally, sunny weather is chosen from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Soaking seeds: First, soak seeds in normal temperature water for 1 hour, then rub the seed epidermis mucus away by hand, and then soak seeds in 55 C warm water for 30 minutes. Then soak the seeds in clear water for 4 hours, then soak them in 10% trisodium phosphate solution or 0.3% potassium permanganate solution for 20 minutes or so, then soak them in warm water at 30 for 9 to 12 hours, rub and wash them, then dry them and germinate.

Accelerating germination: Keep the temperature between 25 and 30 C. When the seeds are 80% white, they can be sown.

Nursery Bed Making

The selection of seedbed should pay attention to sunshine and leeward to ensure the temperature of seed growth. The seedbed of Solanaceae crops is usually chosen as the seedbed.

Generally, decomposed farm manure, calcium superphosphate and potassium sulfate are selected to mix evenly according to a certain proportion, and then 50% carbendazim wettable powder is added to mix with seedbed soil. Soil the seedbed, and then water, a thorough watering.

Sowing management

The sowing time of pepper is usually determined by local weather conditions. After sowing the seeds, cover them with fine soil, not more than 1 cm thick, and then cover them with plastic film.

At the initial stage, the suitable temperature of seeds should be ensured and the emergence rate should be increased. After seedling emergence, the growth temperature should be adjusted flexibly to avoid excessive temperature and seedling burning.

In the later stage, we should strengthen seedling exercise to prevent seedlings from growing too fast and when the outside temperature rises, we should