Present status of managing chilli leaf curl complex in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka

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.