Abstract:
A survey was conducted in the North Central Province (NCP) of Sri Lanka, during the South-West
monsoon season (yala2) 1996, to study the crop management practices followed by farmers and the impact
of such practices on leaf curl complex (LCC) in chilli (iCapsicum annum L.). Late planting of chilli crop in
May and June as reported by 79% of the farmers, lack of quality seeds of tolerant cultivars and application
of excess amount of nitrogen fertilizer are the major contributory factors for the spread of LCC. Although
72% of the farmers complained thrips -Scirtopthrips dorsalis Hood as their major constraint, only 45% of
the farmers surveyed have used recommended insecticides and many (55%) used excess amount of spray
mixtures. However, the number of farmers applying insecticides at proper interval has increased to 95%
after the demonstrations conducted in 1995. Since indiscriminate use of insecticides and N- fertilizer on late
planted chilli crop has aggravated the thrips damage, an awareness programme should be carried out with
special emphasis on integrated crop management to overcome this situation.
