Production Technology of Chilli

Production Technology of Chilli

Land andsoil

Chilli crop grows on a wide range of soil but well drained sandy-loam soils with good

fertility and moderate PH (6.0-7.0) is the best for chilli cultivation.

Seed rate

About 0.8 to 1 kg of good quality seed sown in 100 sq.m. of area would give sufficient

seedlings to transplant in one hectare of land with minimum germination of 75%.

Seed treatment

Seed treatment with Bavistin (Carbendazim) or any other systemic Fungicide @ 3

g/kg seed, as a plant protection measure against seed-borne diseases is desirable.

Time of sowing

In Bangladesh, September-October for the rabi (winter) seasonand the other February to

March for the kharif (summer) season.

Seedbed preparation

Well drained, fertile and elevated areas in partial shade is preferred for raising

seedbed and the selected area is to be cultivated, pulverized and levelled to bring the soil

to a fine tilth. Seedbed measuring 1 m wide and 20-30cm high and of convenient length (3-

5m) is required. In seedbeds well-decomposed cowdung @ 5-10 kg/bed is to be incorporated.

Seedbeds should be provided by 30 cm width drainage channels.

Plant height: 30-35 cm with spreading 50-60 cm.

Number of fruits per plant: 400-500 and weight:

700-750g, respectively. Number of seeds per fruit:

70-75. Thick pericarp. Hotness: Hot. Pest and disease

infestation is comparatively less. Suitable for round the

year cultivation. Fruit yield: 10-12 t/ha for green and

2.5-3.0 t/ha for dry chilli. Duration: 180-200 days.

BARI

Morich-1

(Bangla

Lanka)

( 2001)

Name of

Varieties Important Characteristics Crop

(Year of Release)

After the completion of sowing (soaked seeds) the seedbeds are covered with

gunny bagsor rice straw for about 72 hours and watered immediately for

enhancing/accelerating germination.

Land preparation

Land should be brought to fine tilth by shallow ploughing 4-5 times, giving sufficient

interval between two ploughings. Land should be levelled and divided into small plots

and channels to facilitate proper irrigation and intercultural operations.

Sowing method

4-6 weeks old (10-15 cm tall) seedlings are transplanted, preferably during evening

time and watered immediately to avoid transplanting shock.

Usual spacing for rabi season (40 cm x 40 cm) with population of 62,500 per hectare is

required. But in summer transplanting at a spacing of 50 cm x 50 cm with population of

40,000 per hectare is required. Transplanting is a better method than direct seeding.

Fertilizer dose and application method

Chilli crops have a long growing season, so judicious use of manures and fertilizers is

needed. Fertilizer dose and application methods are given below:

* DAP= Days after planting

Irrigation

Maintenance of uniform soil moisture is essential to prevent blossom and fruit drop. The

crop should be irrigated frequently depending upon the moisture retention

capacity of the soil, amount and frequency of rainfall and evapo-transpiration.

Generally, in Bangladesh 5-6 irrigations are needed. Two most critical stages of moisture

stress in chillies are the initial establishmentof transplanted plants and the stage prior to

blossoming. Water stress during the reproductive stage results in lower yield

compared to stress imposed during the vegetative phase. So, it is needed to

maintain the soil moisture regime at field capacity right after transplanting till

harvest. Water should never be allowed to stay in the field beyond six hours. Excess

water or water logging is harmful to plants and make scongenial environment for

phytopthora wilt disease to explode and completely destroy the crop.

3.3 Intercultural Operation

Two to 3 hand weddings and 3 hoeing are necessary. Bunds, earthing up twice are also

desirable.

Manures and

Fertilizers

Total amount

/ha

At the time

of last

ploughing

1st

installment

(60 DAP)*

2nd

installment

(90 DAP)

3rd

installment

(110 DAP)

Well decomposed

Cowdung

5-10 ton All - - -

Urea 210 Kg - 70 70 70

TSP 300 Kg All - - -

MP 200 Kg 100 33 34 33

Gypsum 110 Kg All - -

Borax 3 Kg All - - -

3.4 Harvesting and Seed preservation

The stage of maturity at which chililes are picked depends on the type and

purpose for which they are grown. Chillies used for drying are picked at full ripe

stage. For vegetable purpose, at green but full grown and for pickle at either green

or ripe stage. Chilli seeds are stored either in polyethylene or glass/ plastic

containers in cool and dry place.