Land is prepared to a fine tilth by thorough ploughing / digging.
Well rotten organic manure is incorporated in the soil and seedlings are transplanted in shallow trenches / pits during May or on ridges / level lands during rainy season.
Transplanted seedlings may also be given temporary shade for three to four days during summer.
Planting
Raising seedlings
Chilli is a transplanted crop.
Seeds are sown in the nursery and one month old seedlings are transplanted to the main field.
The soil in the nursery area should be soil solarized a month before sowing the seeds. Doing so will help reduce diseases such as rot in the nursery.
The beds should be taken in a well-drained, fertile and open location.
Seeds can be sown in rows of convenient length, one meter wide, and 90 cm high by adding well-rotted manure to the solarized soil.
For sowing the seeds, raised seed beds of 1 m width, 90 cm height and of convenient length are prepared to which well decomposed organic matter has been incorporated.
After sowing the seeds, mulch with green leaves and irrigate with a rose can daily in the morning.
Remove the mulch immediately after germination of the seeds.
Restrict irrigation one week before transplanting and irrigate heavily on the previous day of transplanting.
Protray seedlings can also be used.
Time of planting
For a rainfed crop, transplant the seedlings during May-June before the onset of southwest
monsoon.
Planting can also be done during September-October for an irrigated crop.
