Long-term productivity trials investigated the value of capsicum rootstocks, varieties, ratooning and shading over the course of this project, which ran in Queensland from 2013 to 2016.

Researchers began with a literature review of plant material, production techniques and technological advances in capsicum and chilli, which informed the subsequent work. In all, the team conducted five trials.

Findings and achievements included:

• Six capsicum graft combinations were field tested and evaluated under Australian growing conditions using Warlock as the scion in five of these combinations and Warlock as a rootstock in one combination
• The act of grafting had no adverse effect on capsicum plant stem diameter or flowering pattern
• New varieties SV6947 and SV9699 had an improved fruit setting pattern, less fruit clumping and marketable yield was as good as, if not better than, Warlock
• Two new varieties believed to have better resistance to bacterial dry leaf spot were field tested prior to their potential release in Australia
• Cutting off mature capsicum plants at the first node above the plant main fork facilitated ratoon growth but did not affect eventual plant height
• Mechanical plant ratooning was as effective as careful hand trimming of mature capsicums
• Root system performance for all graft combinations were compared

A cheap retractable protective net cover reduced sunburn loss by 30 per cent and enhanced fruit quality.

This project has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the research and development levies listed below and contributions from the Australian Government. Hort Innovation is the grower-owned, not-for-profit research and development corporation for Australian horticulture.

• Vegetable Fund