Chili Production Guide: A Step-By-Step Cultivation Practices

Chilies are a widely used fruit that adds a spicy flavor to various cuisines. It originated in Mexico and is used globally as an ingredient in foods and medicines. India is the largest producer of chilies, followed by China, Peru, Spain, and Mexico. Chilies from the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh are known for their pungency and color. Chilies are economically important as they are a major flavoring agent in the food processing industry.

Oleoresin extracted from chilies is exported to European countries. The botanical name of the chili plant is Capsicum annuum, and it belongs to the Solanaceae family. It is an annual shrub with an erect, branched shoot, simple leaves, small white flowers, and fruits that hang downward. In India, chili is known by its local name, mirchi.

Chili Production Guide

Best Package and Practices of High Chili Production

Selecting the right varieties.
Using quality seeds.
Maintaining proper soil fertility.
Ensuring adequate water and nutrient supply.
Controlling pests and diseases.
Implementing good agricultural practices and timely harvesting.

Also, good post-harvest management, marketing methods, and adding value can help to make the highest return possible.

Land/ Field Preparation and Soil Requirements for Chili

Chilli cultivation needs proper land preparation and soil conditions for optimal growth and yield. First, land selection with enough sunlight, water, and drainage. Soil types are important. Rainfed chili farming requires moist black soil. Well-drained sandy loam soil with high organic content is ideal for irrigation. Clayey soils with drainage can grow chilies in deltaic areas.

Chilies prefer neutral loam between 6.5 and 7.5 pH. Acidic or alkaline soil affects plant growth and nutrient uptake, lowering yields. Loosening and aerating soil requires plowing or tilling to a depth of 15–20 cm. Compost or manure can enhance soil fertility and structure. Maintaining optimal moisture levels throughout the growing season requires proper irrigation and drainage systems.

Temperature, Climatic, and Rainfall Requirements for Chili

Chilies grow best in warm climates. Chilli growth is best at 20–30°C. Below 15°C or above 35 °C can harm plant growth, fruit set, and yield. Chilies are also sensitive to cold weather.
Chilli plants thrive in intense sunlight for 6-8 hours a day. To grow, they need 60–70% humidity.
Chilli farming also depends on rainfall. They can be rainfed in areas with enough rainfall, but too much rain can cause waterlogging and soil runoff. Chilli cultivation requires 600–700 mm of annual rainfall, distributed 25–30 cm during the growing season.
Farming chilies include Jwala, Kanthari, Bhagya Lakshmi, KI, PLR 1, and Pant C1. These varieties grow well in India’s climate.

Seed Rate, Treatment, Method of Sowing and Spacing for Chili

Variety, soil type, and farming methods determine chili seed rate and spacing. Hybrid types require 250-300 g per acre, while normal varieties require 400-500 g per acre. Seeds are treated with fungicide or biocontrol before sowing to prevent soil-borne diseases.
Chilli plants need Plant spacing recommended to be 30-45 cm and row spacing of 60-75 cm. Direct-seeded crops need 60×45 cm spacing, while transplanted plants need 45×30 cm.
Climate and rainfall determine the chili growing season. Chilies can be grown as rainy and winter crops, with May, June, and September sowing. Summer crops can be sown in January-February.
Chilli sowing methods may be direct-seeded or transplanted. Rainfed crops are best direct seeded, while watered crops are transplanted.
Pseudomonas fluorescens treatment to seeds. (10 grams per Kg of seeds). Bio-fungicide prevents disease and insects. Azospirillum (200 grams per Kg) is mixed with the seeds and air-dried for 30 minutes.

Intercropping in Chili

Chilli and onion rows can be intercropped. This method controls pests and increases farmer income.

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Manure & Fertilizer Applications in Chili

Chilli plants must balance primary, secondary, and micronutrients to grow and yield properly. Fertilizers like nitrogen, phosphate, potassium, animal manure, and vermicompost can be applied. For chili farming, 100-120 kg/hectare of nitrogen, 40-50 kg/hectare of phosphorus, and 30-40 kg/hectare of potassium are recommended. Fertilizers should be spread half before planting and half after 45 days of growing crops.

Weed Control and Herbicide Application in Chili

Fluchloralin (Basalin) at 2.0 ltr/ha pre-planting controls annual grasses and broad-leaved weeds. Nitraline, Trifluralin, Dinitramine, and Alachlor applied pre-sowing limit weed growth. Preplanting TCA at 5kg/ha controls Cynodon. Trifluralin 0.75 kg/ha and Nitralin 3kg/ha control grasses and sorghum halopense post-emergence. Apply basalin at 2-2.5 liters/ha or 0.8-1.0 liters/acre one week after sowing.

Water Management/ Irrigation in Chili

Chili needs a drip irrigation device to apply fertilizers through fertigation. Light soils need watering every 7-10 days, heavy soils every 10-15 days, and summer crops every 5-6 days. After picking, one irrigation should be given at 40-60% soil moisture. Chili requires water most during flowering and the development of fruits.

Disease Control in Chili

Major diseases of chili Bacterial wilt, anthracnose, powdery mildew, chili viral disease, and mosaic virus are major chilies diseases.

Anthracnose: This fungal disease causes sunken fruit sores that spread and rot. Crop rotation, pruning infected parts, and fungicides can manage anthracnose.
Bacterial wilt: The plant dies after its foliage begins to wilt and become yellow. Disease-free seedlings and waterlogging can help prevent bacterial wilt, which has no cure.
Phytophthora blight: This fungus disease causes root wilting and yellowing. Drainage and crop rotation can manage Phytophthora blight.
Leaf curl: This viral illness curls and deforms leaves, reducing yield. Disease-free seeds, hygiene, and insect vector control prevent leaf curl.

Pest Control in Chili

Root grubs, mites, aphids, and thrips can target seedlings. Crop rotation, disease-free seedlings, and irrigation can manage these pests.
Thrips, mites, aphids, and cutworms may attack at the vegetative stage. Insecticides, biological controls, and hygiene are used for control.
Thrips, mites, aphids, and cutworms may harm the plant during flowering. While blooming, Spodoptera litena and Helicoverpa armigera may attack the plant. Pheromone traps, pesticides, and biological control agents work.

Harvesting of Chili

Chili peppers can be harvested after approximately one month for green fruits and three and a half months for ripe fruits. One or two pickings can be done for green fruits, and the produce is sold in the local market. For ripe fruits, picking can be done for around two months, and six pickings are taken annually.

Care should be taken to hold the stalks firmly while picking the fruits, and the fruit should be pulled upward gently, breaking the base of the stalk. Delayed harvesting can lead to better-quality produce. For irrigated crops, 6-8 pickings can be taken. Farmers should keep the number of pickings to avoid breaking twigs and labor requirements.

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Chili Yield per Acre

The yield of chili per acre is affected by various factors, such as chili variety, climatic conditions, soil quality, and growth conditions. The average yield of fresh chili per acre is 30-40 quintals, which yields 25-35 kg of dried chili per 100 kg of fresh chili. The average dried chili yield per acre can vary between 7.5 and 10 quintals.

Conclusion

Chili production can be profitable if proper growing methods are implemented. Farmers should choose suitable varieties and implement suitable soil preparation, irrigation, fertilization, and pest and disease control. Careful harvesting of chili can contribute to the production of a high-quality crop.

Chili Production Guide: A Step-By-Step Cultivation Practices