Chilli, also called the chili pepper, is a spice used in preparing dishes. We commonly add chili as an ingredient in foods to spice up the preparation. It originated in Mexico and is used worldwide as an ingredient in food preparation and medicine. We can also say that chili makes the food delicious.
India is not only the largest producer but also the largest consumer of chilies in the world. India tops the world in chili production, followed by China, Peru, Spain, and Mexico. Some large-sized peppers are called bell peppers and are used as a vegetable.
Chilli cultivation is a good vegetable farming business. Farmers can cultivate the chili crop as an intercrop or as a standalone chili plantation.
We guide some essential points in the chili cultivation process, such as which equipment farmers can use in chili farming. We suggest the Mahindra Jivo Tractor for this farming because this tractor offers the best features at a fair price.
Economic Importance of Chilli Cultivation
We most commonly use the chilies in the kitchen. Due to the presence of capsaicin, chilies have a pungent but pleasant taste, which is why they are important in the kitchen. It is also a good source of oleoresin, a major flavoring agent in the food processing industry. Oleoresin is extracted from chilies and exported to European countries. We can also use the chili in skin ointments and prickly heat powder.
Botanical Information on the Chilli or Mirchi Plant
Belonging to the Solanaceae family, chili is botanically called capsicum annual. It is a small, annual shrub with an erect, branched shoot. It has a tap root system with simple leaves. The flowers are small, white in color, and pendulous. In other words, unlike other plants, pepper flowers fall and hang like pendants. Chilli fruits also hang downward in the same way. The fruit contains chili seeds. In India, chili has various local names, such as Lanka, Mirchi, etc.
Climatic Requirements
Chilli is a tropical and subtropical plant that requires a combination of hot, humid, and dry weather. It requires warm and humid weather during the growth phase. However, dry weather is suitable for fruit maturation.
The temperature range of 20⁰C–25⁰C is ideal for the growth of chilies. At 37 °C or more, fruit development is affected.
Similarly, in cases of heavy rains, planting wilts and rots. However, the bud does not develop properly in conditions of low moisture during the fruiting period.
Soil for Chilli Cultivation
Chilies need moisture for growth. The black soil, which retains moisture, is ideal when farmers grow rainfed crops. Under irrigated conditions, the crop needs well-drained sandy loam with rich organic content. They can also grow the chilies in deltaic soil under irrigated conditions. In hilly areas like Uttarakhand, farmers mix the soil with gravel and coarse sand before cultivating chili.
The Season for Chilli Farming
Farmers can cultivate the chilies both as Kharif and Rabi crops. In addition, they can also plant the chilies at other times. The sowing months are May to June for the Kharif crop and September to October for the Rabi crops. If they plant the chilies as summer crops, then choose the January–February months.
Water for Green Chilli Cultivation
Chilies are crops that cannot tolerate too much water. Plants can rot due to heavy rain and stagnant water. In the case of irrigating crops, farmers should give the water only when required. Frequent watering will speed up flowering and vegetative growth.
The number of irrigations and their frequency highly depend on climatic conditions and soil type. For example, if the leaves start falling during the day, it is a sign of a need for water. Similarly, if the flowers seem weak or do not show enough vigor, irrigating the crop will help. Some farmers irrigate the field when the soil moisture is less than 25%.
Planting Material for Chilli Plantation
At the time of cultivation, farmers must choose disease-free, good-quality seeds. Moreover, it must obtain farms certified by the central authority in the case of organic farming. Research institutes and different organizations develop various high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties.
Land preparation for chili cultivation
For chili cultivation, the land is plowed 2-3 times and well plowed. Farmers should remove the gravel, stones, and other unwanted material present in the soil. If they are sowing the seed directly into the soil, it is done with the last tillage cycle. However, farmers should disinfect the soil at tillage to check for diseases affecting the plant.
We are here to guide you about chili cultivation equipment. Thus, we suggest the John Deere D Tractor for chili farming as well as discover the implements, which are reliable for every Indian farmer.
For more information and inquiries regarding chili farming and any other farming, stay tuned with us.
