GROWING & NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS FOR CHILLI/HOT PEPPER [CAPSICUM ANNUUM]
Chilli is one of the most valuable crops of India. It is grown almost throughout the country. These fruits are small in size and known for their sharp acidic flavour and colour. Currently, chillies are used throughout the world as a spice and also in the making of beverages and medicines.
If some varieties of chillies are famous for red colour because of the pigment ‘capsanthin,’ others are known for biting pungency attributed to ‘capsian.’
Soil and Climate:
The chilli is a plant of tropical and sub -tropical region, it grows well in warm and humid climate and a temperature of 200C to 250C. As a rain fed crop, it is grown in areas receiving an annual rainfall of 25-30 inches.
Chilli can be grown in all type of soils, but the sandy - loam, clay loam and loamy soils with pH of 5.5 to 7 are best suited for chilli. The soil must be well drained and well aerated. Acidic soils are not suitable for chilli cultivation.
Varieties of Chilli: Several seed producers are supplying many high yielding green and red chilly varieties. There are varieties supplied which yield significantly and varieties resistant to many diseases.
Nursery Management
Prepare 15 raised seed bed (6 per acre with 22.5 feet long x 3.5 feet breadth and 4 inches height). Apply 30 kg (3 – 4 baskets) well decomposed FYM to each bed along with ½ kg 15: 15: 15 compound fertilizer and mix them well in the soil.
- Sow the seeds in 3 inches rows or broadcast thinly on the beds.
- Cover the beds with FYM or soil.
- Provide shade during summer till germination.
- Water beds regularly in the evening. Gradually reduce the supply of the water during the last 10 days before transplanting to harden the seedlings.
- Seeds will germinate in a week and will be ready for transplanting in about 6 weeks.
Sowing Time and Seed Rate:
In case of chilli crop, for kharif it sown in May - June and for summer crop, it is sown in the month of January. 60 to 80 g seed is required for one acre area. Spacing may be maintained 75 cm x 60 cm OR 75 cm x 45 cm OR 90cm x 45 cm.
Land Preparation and planting:
Prepare the main field by ploughing and harrowing and 8 to 10 tones /acre of FYM or compost is applied at the time of field preparation. The biofertilisers [AATOBACTER + NITROBACTOR + PHOSPHATE SOLUBILISING BACTERIA + POTASSIUM MOBILISING BACTERIA] need to be added to the Farm Yard Manure, which are beneficial in overall soil and plant relationships like water and nutrient exchange, suppression of root infectious insects and diseases.
FYM may also be mixed with some of the biopesticides TRICHODERMA VIRIDE, PSEUODOMONAS FLOURESCENS, BACILLUS SUBTILIS, to kill pathogenic fungus, bacteria, Saferoot [TRICHODERMA HARZIANUM with PAECILOMYCES LILACINUS] for root nematodes and entomopathogenic nematodes Soldier [HETERORHABDITIS INDICA] to kill soil borne insects.
Sow the seedlings at recommended rate per acre. Root white grubs & termites pests can be controlled by application of 5 kg Caldan (Cartap hydrochloride 4 % Gr). When seedlings attain the age of one month or height of 10 -15 cm, then those seedlings are transplanted.
Nutrients Applications
Basal Soil application: Apply to the soil the items provided in the table before transplantation.
|
Compost |
Farm yard manure |
8 to 10 tonnes |
|
NPK Ratio N- 35kg : P- 45 kg : K 20 kg |
DAP |
100 KG |
|
UREA |
30 KG |
|
|
MOP |
40 KG |
|
|
Bio Organic Manure |
NEEM + PONGAM CAKE |
300 KG |
|
Root Growth Promoter |
Growth promoter GRANULES |
10 KG |
|
Micronutrients |
Micronutrient Mixture |
10 KG |
|
Secondary Nutrients |
MgSO4 |
50 KG |
|
Soil Insect controller |
CALDAN |
5 KG |
Second Dose at 30- 35 days after transplanting
|
NPK Ratio N- 35kg : P- 25 kg : K 35 kg |
10:26:26 |
100 KG |
|
Urea + Mahaphal 1 L |
50 KG |
Third Dose 65 – 70 days after transplanting
|
NPK Ratio N- 20 kg : P- 20 kg : K 20 kg |
20:20:00:13 |
100 KG |
|
MOP |
40 KG |
|
|
Root Growth Promoter |
Growth promoter GRANULES |
5 KG |
|
Micronutrients |
Micronutrient Mixture |
5 KG |
|
Secondary Nutrients |
MgSO4 |
25 KG |
|
Secondary Nutrients |
Calcium Nitrate |
25 KG |
Fourth Dose 95 – 100 days after transplanting [May be for Red Chilli]
|
NPK Ratio N- 20 kg : P- 20 kg : K 20 kg |
20:20:00:13 |
100 KG |
|
MOP |
40 KG |
|
|
Micronutrients |
Borax |
5 KG |
Fifth Dose 115 – 120 days after transplanting [May be for Red Chilli]
|
NPK Ratio N- 5 kg : P- 00 kg : K 25 kg |
Calcium Nitrate |
25 KG |
|
SOP |
50 KG |
|
|
Micronutrients |
Borax |
5 KG |
Next Blog ..."Chilli fertigation schedule "
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For more information kindly call on 8050797979 or give missed call on 180030002434 during office hours 10 AM to 5 PM
K SANJEEVA REDDY,
Senior Agronomist, BigHaat.
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Disclaimer: The performance of the product (s) is subject to usage as per manufacturer guidelines. Read enclosed leaflet of the product(s) carefully before use. The use of this product(s)/ information is at the discretion of user.
Good job from you guys.Growing chilli in Uganda Africa n would like more information abt chilli from you.
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