Capsicum: Aji Norteño

Botanical Name:

Capsicum baccatum

Family:

Solanaceae

Crop Type:

Fruiting Vegetable

Other Names:

Aji Pepper; Aji Chilli; Rissie (Afrikaans)

Lifecycle:

Perennial, grown as annual

Uses:

Spice (fresh, dried, ground); culinary flavouring; food preservation

Capsicum (Aji Norteño) is a warm-season fruiting vegetable in the Solanaceae family, classified within Capsicum baccatum. Plants produce upright, branching growth with medium-sized green leaves and characteristic cream-coloured flowers with green or yellow spots.

Fruits are elongated, tapering pods that ripen from green to orange or red, with moderate pungency and fruity undertones. Fruits are the edible part, used fresh, dried, or processed for chilli flavour and heat.

Cultivated in frost-free conditions with warm temperatures, suited to open field and protected production. Aji Norteño is noted for its fruity flavour profile typical of South American aji types.

Climate

Climate Suitability:

Warm frost-free summers; suitable across most SA regions with protection in cooler areas

Frost Tolerance:

Frost sensitive

Heat Tolerance:

High

Sun Type:

Full sun

Soil

Soil Texture:

Loam to sandy loam

Drainage Requirement:

Well-drained

Preferred pH Range:

6.0–6.8 pH

Water

Water Requirement:

Moderate

Irrigation Type:

Drip; Micro Irrigation

Propagation

Propagation Type:

Seed

Propagation Season:

Late winter under protection to spring

Germination Days:

14–21 days

Days to Transplant:

42–56 days

Propagation Notes:

Germinates best with warmth; transplant sturdy seedlings after hardening off.

Planting

Planting Season:

Spring to early summer

Plants Per Square Foot:
Square Foot Method

1 per ft²

Plant Spacing:
Square Foot Method

30 cm

Plant Spacing:
Traditional Method

40–50 cm

Row Spacing:
Traditional Method

60–75 cm

Planting Systems

Container Suitable:

Yes

Container Notes:

Hydroponic Compatible:

Yes

Hydroponic Systems:

Hydroponic Notes:

Aquaponic Suitable:

Conditional

Aquaponic Notes:

Companion Plants

Benefits from aromatic companions that deter aphids; avoid continuous solanum rotation to reduce disease buildup.

No crops on recorded.

Please contact us should you feel that this is incorrect.

Competitor Plants

Fennel may inhibit growth; avoid planting near other solanums in rotation.

No crops on recorded.

Please contact us should you feel that this is incorrect.

Pests & Diseases

Pest Types:

Aphids; Thrips; Whitefly; Mites; Fruit Fly

Pest Control:

Scout regularly, remove infested fruit, use netting, sticky traps and biological controls; apply approved treatments if necessary.

Disease Types:

Bacterial spot, Powdery mildew, Phytophthora root rot, Viruses (CMV, TMV)

Disease Control:

Use clean seed, crop rotation, improve airflow, avoid overhead irrigation and remove infected plants promptly.

Harvest

Planting Season:

Spring to early summer

Plant Spacing:
Square Foot Method

30 cm

Plant Spacing:
Traditional Method

40–50 cm

Row Spacing:
Traditional Method

60–75 cm

Nutrition

Edible Parts:

Fruit

Reference Food State:

Raw hot pepper

Serving Size:

100 g

Nutrition Basis:

Per 100 g raw edible portion

Energy

Calories (kcal):

40 kcal

Calories (kj):

167 kj

Macronutrients

Total Carbohydrates:

9.46 g

Protein:

2 g

Total Fat:

0.2 g

Carbohydrates

Dietary Fibre:

1.5 g

Starch:

0 g

Total Sugars:

5.1 g

Fats

Monounsaturated Fat:

0.011 g

Omega-3 Fatty Acids:

0.011 g

Omega-6 Fatty Acids:

0.072 g

Polyunsaturated Fat:

0.093 g

Saturated Fat:

0.042 g

Trans Fat:

0 g

Minerals

Calcium:

18 mg

Chromium:

0 mcg

Copper:

0.174 mg

Iron:

1.2 mg

Iodine:

0 mcg

Magnesium:

25 mg

Manganese:

0.237 mg

Molybdenum:

0 mcg

Phosphorus:

46 mg

Potassium:

340 mg

Selenium:

0.5 mcg

Sodium:

7 mg

Zinc:

0.3 mg

Vitamins

Vitamin A:

48 mcg RE

Thiamin:
Vitamin B1

0.09 mg

Riboflavin:
Vitamin B2

0.09 mg

Niacin:
Vitamin B3

0.95 mg NE

Pantothenic Acid:
Vitamin B5

0.061 mg

Vitamin B6:

0.278 mg

Biotin:
Vitamin B7

0 mcg

Folate:
Vitamin B9

23 mcg

Vitamin B12:

0 mcg

Vitamin C:

143.7 mg

Vitamin D:

0 mcg

Vitamin E:

0.69 mg alpha-tocopherol

Vitamin K:

14 mcg

Recipes

Rooted Futures

Growing Change

Capsicum: Aji Norteño

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