EFFECT OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ON CHILLI LEAF CURL DISEASE DEVELOPMENT IN CHILLI AND ITS MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Leaf curl disease in chilli is an important yield constraint in chilli production in Pakistan and India. In this study, four chilli lines / varieties were grown under field conditions and development of disease on each variety was studied in relation to environmental factors. Effect of environmental factors including maximum and minimum temperature, rainfall and relative humidity on whitefly population and chilli leaf curl disease development was investigated throughout the crop growth period. Increase in maximum and minimum temperature resulted in increase in whitefly population. However, temperature was negatively correlated with disease development. Rainfall had a negative effect on whitefly population whereas it was positively correlated with disease development. Relative humidity was positively correlated with disease development whereas whitefly population was reduced due to increase in relative humidity. Extracts of neem, eucalyptus and akk were used for the management of disease at 1%, 2% and 5% concentrations which were found effective in disease management.