Effect of weather factors on Chilli production and strategies for improvement of productivity

Over many centuries, agricultural production has been reported to be extremely influenced by changes in climate. The environment may affect the availability of nutrients to the plant, crop growth and response of plants to biotic and abiotic stresses. Chilli, a well known commercial annual crop is used as a condiment, culinary supplement and also as a vegetable. Among the spices, dry chilli ranks first in per capita consumption in the country. Though India leads the world in production, consumption and export of chilli, the productivity levels are reported to be far below the actual potential of this crop. Of the many reasons attributed for low yields in chilli, vagaries of weather, pest and disease incidence are the most important. In Andhra Pradesh, the leading producer of the crop Guntur district ranks first in production of chilli. A study was conducted for assessing the influence of weather parameters on the chilli production and productivity in Guntur district. The study revealed that, the mean minimum temperature and annual rainfall had significant positive correlation whereas the variables mean maximum temperature and mean sun shine hours had negative correlation with production and productivity of chilli. Unfavourable climate conditions like excess/low rainfall, high humidity coupled with wide diurnal variations in temperature predispose the crop for pest and disease incidence. Hence, there is need to work out the strategies to sustain the productivity of the crop. Development of prediction models based on weather conditions for forecasting pest and disease incidence will go a long way in helping the farmers to protect their crop. Further there is need to motivate the farmers on adoption of improved package of practices such as IPM/IDM, INM, IWM technologies to minimize indiscriminate use of chemicals and maximize the efficient utilization of available resources leading to increased benefit cost ratio. Strategies to improve quality and minimize post harvest losses are also to be adopted to get premium price.