Front line demonstration for management of chilli viral complex

Introduction

Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) is an economically significant and widely grown crop in India. It serves as both a culinary essential and a source of medicinal compounds and vital nutrients (Tiwary et al., 2005) [5] . However, like other crops, chillies are vulnerable to a variety of pests, diseases, and viral infections. Twenty-four viruses have been reported to affect chillies naturally, with eleven identified in India. These viruses are often transmitted by insect vectors such as aphids, thrips, and whiteflies, making disease management more complex. Severe infestations have resulted in 100 percent losses of marketable fruit, as noted by Zehra et al., 2017 [11] . Venkatesh et al. (1998) [9] reported that the chilli viral complex is caused by Chilli leaf curl Geminivirus (CLCV), transmitted by Bemisia tabaci, as well as by thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis) and mites (Polyphagotarsonemus latus). Infected plants exhibit symptoms such as leaf curling, stunting, mosaic patterns, and poor fruit quality, leading to significant yield losses and a decrease in the crop's economic value. To combat these challenges, location-specific integrated disease management strategies that are economically viable, socially acceptable, and environmentally sustainable are essential. Unfortunately, farmers often lack the knowledge and support needed to implement effective disease management practices. In Bhadradri Kothagudem district, where chilli cultivation is prevalent, farmers face substantial disease pressure without a clear understanding of the impact or appropriate management strategies. Therefore, Front Line Demonstration (FLD) was conducted to demonstrate the potential damage and effective management approaches for these agricultural threats.

Materials and Methods

The present study was undertaken at ten different farmers fields of Bhadradri Kothagudem district of Telangana with two treatments viz., technology demonstration and check (farmers practice) (Table 1). The experiment was conducted consecutively for three years i.e. during 2019-20, 2020-21, and 2021-22 within its operational area. The methodology for the Front Line Demonstrations (FLD) followed guidelines outlined by Choudhary (1999) [1] , including experimental design, site selection, farmer selection, demonstration layout, and farmer participation. Agronomic practices were rigorously applied, which cultivated in plots size of 0.4 hectares across ten locations for each treatment. Affected plants were observed in each plot by recording total number of plants as well as diseased plants. The data was collected at fortnightly intervals on incidence.

Percent disease incidence was calculated by following formula suggested by Nene (1972) [4] . The disease in observed fields was expressed as

Number of diseased leaves

Disease Incidence = -------------Total number of leaves assessed X 100

Yield data were collected from both technology-assessed plots and farmers' practice plots. Using parameters such as extension gap, technology gap, yield gap, and technology index, as outlined by Rajashekhar et al. (2022) [6] , Samui et al. (2000) [8] , and Lakshmi Narayanamma et al. (2023) [3] , the economic impact of treatments was assessed through benefit-cost ratio calculations.

Extension gap (Kg/ha) = Demonstrations yield -Yield under existing farmer's practice Technology gap (Kg/ha) = Potential Yield -Demo Yield Additional return = Demonstration return -farmer's practice return

Results and Discussion

Based on the current findings and subsequent data analysis over three consecutive years, it was observed that disease incidence was lower in the technology-demonstrated plots compared to farmers' practice plots. This reduction can be attributed to regular monitoring of disease incidence and the judicious use of integrated disease management strategies, resulting in a reduced disease load. Viral incidence was higher in farmers' practice plots, with percentages of 23. [10,7,2] .

Conclusion

Based on the findings of this study, it can be inferred that location-specific management have become crucial due to the dynamic virus patterns across seasons and agroecosystems. The noticeable yield disparity between farmers' practice and technology-demonstrated plots underscores the urgent necessity for robust extension services to educate farmers on adoption of improved technologies. Furthermore, the lower yield levels observed in local practice indicate room for improvement through the adoption of recommended strategies. The Front-Line Demonstration (FLD) intervention has proven highly effective in enhancing net returns among farmers. The positive outcomes observed in technologydemonstrated plots warrant wider implementation across the Bhadradri Kothagudem district. These results can be leveraged to encourage farmers to adopt these practices, thereby reducing unnecessary and unwarranted usage of insecticides and fungicides.

Acknowledgement

AcknowledgementThe authors express their sincere gratitude to ICAR-ATARI and PJTSAU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, for their financial support. Special thanks are extended to the innovative farmers of Bhadradri Kothagudem district, Telangana, for their invaluable assistance in field layout, experiment planning, data collection, and the successful execution of the investigation over three consecutive years.

References

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