New Chilli variety " MI-HOT"
A new chilli variety - "MI-Hot" was released for extensive cultivation. The variety MI-Hot moderately resistant to the Anthracnose disease and also has field tolerance to the other fungal diseases like Cercospora leaf spot and choanepora blight. It also showed 15% - 20% yield increase than the other recommended chilli varieties and tolerant to low soil moisture status. The new chilli variety is suitable for both green and dry chilli production.
Chilli Improvement Programme
Development of high yielding chilli varieties, resistant to pests, diseases and drought, with better fruit quality are the main objectives of the crop improvement programme of chilli.
Four promising chilli breeding lines with high level of tolerance to chilli leaf curl complex, mainly for thrips, were selected for coordinated trials without insecticides. These promising lines are being evaluated at the regional agricultural stations of Maha Illuppallama, Aralaganwila, Vavuniya, Thinnaweli and Angunakolepellessa and in other chilli growing areas for tolerance and in varietal adaptability trails in farmer fields especially in yala season.
Varietal adaptability trials for two promising chilli breeding lines were conducted and forwarded for DUS test at the Seed Certification Service of the Department of Agriculture.
Generation advancement of F2, F3 and F4 were made with desirable traits for further evaluation.
Nitrogen fertilizer response study in chilli
Present nitrogen fertilizer recommendation for chilli is 150kg/ha. However, this amount is not adequate for plant growth and yield of chilli. Therefore, nitrogen response study was done with four levels of nitrogen (75, 150, 225, 300 kg/ha). Results reveal that the chilli yield increase with increasing level of nitrogen, and present nitrogen fertilizer recommendation of 150 kg ha-1 could be increased up to 225 kg ha -1
Variety screening of chilli against Anthracnose
Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum capsici is the most important fungal disease of chilli during maha season. Use of resistant varieties of chilli is the most economical way to control anthracnose. Twenty breeding lines were screened under induced disease pressure. Of the lines tested, including new variety MI - Hot 7, varieties were identified as moderately resistant to anthracnose.
Control of chilli leaf curl complex
Importance of planting chilli early in the season was demonstrated in a trial conducted in yala 2002. Thrips population was very high in this particular season and late lanted (on 12th June) crop was heavily damaged by leaf curl complex and later by lack of irrigation water. Although the crop that was planted early (on 11th April) suffered by heavy rains during the seedling stage, it escaped from heavy pest population and gave the highest yields than the crop that was planted in the middle of the season (on 16th May) and the crop planted late in the season.
EM application on growth and yield of chilli
In a study conducted to understand the effect of EM on growth and yield of chilli and soil fertility and to compare the performance of EM with common compost and recommended chemical fertilizers, it was observed that EM is neither increasing growth and yield of chilli nor improving major soil nutrients and organic matter content. The same study also revealed that better yield can be obtained with the application of common compost together with chemical fertilizers.
Plant density
Plant density studies on rainfed up land and low land irrigated chilli were conducted using different spacing and nitrogen fertilizer levels along with the recommended spacing and fertilizer levels. Results indicated that highest dry chilli yield (rainfed condition) 1.5t/ha was obtained at a spacing of 30 cm x 30 cm (111,000 plants/ha) and 120 kg N/ha fertilizer level. There was 25% yield increase when compared to the recommended spacing (45 cm x 30 cm). In irrigated low land condition 1.0t/ha dry chilli yield was obtained at 45 cm x 20 cm (111,000 plants/ha) with 120 kg N/ha fertilizer level. There was 30% yield increase when compared to the recommended spacing 45 cm x 60 cm.
A New Big onion variety
New high yielding and adaptable Big onion variety, Pusa Red MI, has been developed after 5 years of selection and purification programme at FCRDI. This variety will be grown in big onion growing areas for further testing for the adaptability and will be released for cultivation.
Development of another adaptable and high yielding big onion variety, Rampure was started and selection and purification work is in progress.
Big onion true seed production (Bulb size, spacing, time of planting etc) package for yala season has been developed. Following this package higher seed yield (over 800 kg/ha) can be obtained and this package will be evaluated in farmers fields.
Big onion variety Arka Niketha was identified on a high stable and adaptable variety under normal condition.
Effect of pre harvest and post harvest application of
fungicides on storage life of big onion bulbs
Storage of onion is important because the production is seasonal. Bulb rotting caused by fungus is the major reason for storage losses. It contributes to about 10-20% of the total storage losses during a period of 3-4 months. Application of carbendazim 50% WP two weeks before harvesting reduces the storage losses of big onion bulbs caused by fungal pathogens.
Mode of anthracnose development on big onion
Anthracnose disease caused by colletotrichum gloeosporioides is one of the major constraints to profitable cultivation of onion, especially in rainy weather conditions. Application of fungicides to control diseases is a common practice among farmers. However, it is ineffective for controlling anthracnose. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides quickly germinates and develops infective structure appresoria on leaves of variety Rampur red, Pusa red and Kalpitiya selection. It was found that all the tested varieties of big onion were susceptible to anthracnose.
Screening of insecticides against thrips (Thrips tabaci) in onion
Thrips are the most important pest of onion and several other crops especially during yala season. At present, fenthion and carbaryl are used to control onion thrips. Most of the farmers complain that presently recommended insecticides are not effective in controlling thrips. Therefore, nine insecticides were tested along with the control treatment to find out the most effective insecticides against thrips in onion. According to the results, thiacloprid (400 ml/ha), imidacloprid (300 ml/ha), fipronil (500 ml/ha) and prothifos (1000 ml/ha) can be recommended for effective control of thrips in onion.