Chilli- Planting activities

Chilli is propagated through seed. The recommended seed rate is 400 gram/acre. The best season for planting is May-June and September-October.

The land is prepared well by thorough ploughing or digging. Lime or dolomite @ 1-3 Kg/cent has to be applied depending on soil acidity. This should be followed by adding organic manure @ 90 kg/cent.

Well rotten organic manure is incorporated into the soil.

The planting is done in raised beds during rainy season and in trenches during summer. The spacing is 45 cm x 45 cm for less spreading varieties and 75 cm x 45-60 cm for spreading varieties.

Chilli is a transplanted crop. Seeds are sown in the nursery. One month old seedlings are transplanted to the main field.

It is advisable to do the transplantation in evening hours. Transplanted seedlings should also be given temporary shade in hot summer.

Apply recommended basal dose of fertilizers at the time of planting. A time lag of ten days should be given between application of lime and fertilizers.