Utpal Barua and Mokidul Islam
Abstract
âBhut Jalokiaâ or âGhost chilliâ is one of the types King Chilli (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) grown in entire North Eastern states. King chilli once occupied the number one position among the hottest chillies of the world. The unique climatic condition of Meghalaya favours the cultivation of this crop, which could contribute to the economic upliftment of the tribal farmers due to its high value and demand. The cultivation of king chilli under open condition proves to be less remunerative due to long rainy season. The present demonstration was carried out in five villages of Ri Bhoi district of Meghalaya. King chilli was cultivated inside naturally ventilated low cost polyhouse as well as under open field condition consecutively for 3 years. All the horticultural traits studied viz. plant height, number of primary branches, fruit length, fruit width, number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, number of seeds per fruit, 100 seed weight, average yield per plant and yield showed significant increase in values than that of cultivation under open field condition. The number of days to first flowering (61.35 days) and days to first harvest (85.50) was less than that of crop under open condition. This resulted in early crop maturity (161 days) with more yield (78.40 q/ ha) and larger fruit size inside polyhouse. The benefit cost ratio of king chilli cultivated inside polyhouse recorded 1.06, 2.95 and 3.06 in the first, second and third year of demonstration. The extension gap, technology gap, technology index and increase over farmers practice were 25.65 q/ha, 11.60 q/ha, 12.89% and 48.63% respectively. Thus, it can be concluded that cultivation of king chilli under low cost polyhouse is remunerative.