Correlations between Weather Parameters and Pests in Organic Green Chilli (Capsicum annum L.)

The experiment was conducted on correlations between weather parameters Such as temperature (°C), relative humidity (%), bright sunshine (hrs), canopy temperature (°C) and pests like thrips, mites and whitefly in organic green chilli (Capsicum annum L.). The thrips on organic green chilli were positively correlated with Tmax (0.782*), Tmin (0.453), BSS (0.494) and canopy temperature (°C) (0.921**) and negatively correlated with RH I (0.240), RH II (−0.741*). The mites on organic green chilliwere positively correlated with Tmax(0.898*), Tmin (0.276), BSS (0.539) and canopy temperature (°C) (0.266) and negatively correlated with RH I (0.863), RH II (−0.591). The whitefly pest on organic green chilli were positively correlated with Tmax (0.778), Tmin (0.952*) and canopy temperature (°C) (0.965**) and negatively correlated with RH I (0.662), RH II (−0.281) and BS (−0.408). Chilli (Capsicum annum L.)is one of the important vegetable and condiment crops having immense commercial dietaryand therapeutic values and grownth roughout the year. Chilli is native of Peru and Mexico and Portuguese were the first to introduce chilli in India during 15^th century. Its cultivation became popularin the 17^th century (Naik, 2006). Chilli is an introduced crop in India due to itssuitable growingclimate. Chilli is one of the major vegetable crops grown both for green and dry chilli in the country. Chillies are used inbothgreen and dryformin all culinarypreparations equally by rich and poor alike. In curry, it is used as a paste, powder, broken split or whole form. It is an essential ingredient of Indian curry, which is characterized by attractive colour. Chilli is nature's wonder. Itsfruit, appear in different sizes, shapesand colours, with two important qualities. It has biting pungency attributed to capsaicin and red colour due tothe pigment capsanthin. Apartfrom this capsaicin, an alkaloid extracted from chilli is used in medicine. Chilli is rich source of vitamins A, C, E and P. Chilli, green or red fruits of Capsicum annuum L. belong to the family Solanaceae.