Effect of Different Sowing Dates for the Management of Chilli Pests

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted at Spices Research Centre, Shibganj, Bogra, Bangladesh during Rabi season of 2015-16 to assess the effect of varying sowing dates against insect pest of chilli. The treatments were T1= 30 August (1st sowing); T2= 15 September (2nd sowing); T3= 30 September (3rd sowing); T4= 15 October (4th sowing), T5= 30 October (5th sowing) and T6= 15 November (6th sowing). Sowing was done at 15 days interval from August to November in the experimental field. The results showed that the maximum mean aphid (9.27/leaf), thrips (10.77/leaf), mite(11.51/leaf) and fruit borer population like H. armigera and S.litura larvae (8.25 and 6.74/plant, respectively) were found in 15 November sowing and minimum number of those insect pest were present in 30 August sowing. Red ripe chilli yields were also found to differ in descending order as follows: 30 August (13.05 t/ha)> 15 September (12.70 t/ha)> 30 September (10.30 t/ha)> 15 October (8.41 t/ha)> 30 October (5.20 t/ha)> 15 November (3.10 t/ha). It was inferred that early sowing (30 August or 15 September) resulted in lower incidence of aphids, thrips, mite and fruit borer. Such low level of insect pest caused less crop injury which resulted in enhancing the red ripe yield of chilli. So, it is suggested that for early sowing of winter chilli, the appropriate planting time may be 30 August to 15 September.