Assessing the Performance of Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) Hybrids TNAU Chilli Hybrid CO 1 and Arka Saanvi in Salem District of Tamil Nadu

Abstract

India is the world’s largest producer, consumer and exporter of chillies in the world. The important states of chilli production are Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. In Salem district, area under chilli cultivation is around 1100 ha in the year 2019-20. Among 20 blocks of Salem district, Kolathur block is well known for chilli cultivation in Salem District. Most of the farmers rely upon only the private chilli hybrids, for which they have to spend much more towards seed cost. In this regard, an investigation is required for assessing the performance of high pungent chilli hybrids in Salem district. Hence, an investigation was carried out to assess the performance of high pungent chilli hybrids in Salem district in the year 2021. An on farm trial was conducted in five different locations of Salem district during Kharif season with chilli hybrids Arka Saanvi and TNAU Chilli Hybrid CO 1 with Sierra Hybrid of Private Company namely Mahyco as check hybrid. Results revealed that TNAU Chilli hybrid CO1 recorded highest marketable fruit yield per hectare (24t/ha) followed by Arka Saanvi (21t/ha) which might be due to the more number of marketable fruits per plant in TNAU Chilli hybrid CO1. Farmers preference as well as market preference in Salem District for TNAU Chilli Hybrid CO 1 is more than Arka Saanvi because of its bigger size fruits with more number of fruits with high pungency. With regard to benefit cost ratio, Arka Saanvi and Sierra recorded 2.50 and 1.79 respectively as against 2.71 in TNAU Chilli hybrid CO 1.