Chilli prefers well drained, loamy soil, fairly fertile rich in organic matter. It can stand acidity to a certain extent. Strongly acid soils and alkaline soils are not suitable for chilli growing. It performs well at pH ranges 6.0-7.0. Chilli can’t tolerate water logged condition. North Eastern region has very suitable climatic condition and fertile soil for chilli cultivation.

Chilli is grown in both tropical and sub-tropical areas ranging from sea level to 2000 metres altitudes in Indian condition. Chilli requires a warm humid climate and can tolerate extreme of climate better than tomato and brinjal. It is highly sensitive to frost. Chilli is sensitive to high and low temperature. However, chilli can be grown at higher temperature under well irrigated condition.

It is very important and indispensable items in every kitchen for its pungency, spicy taste and appealing colour which adds to the food. Chilli is valued for their pungency and pleasant flavor. Chilli is used primarily in the manufacture of chilli powder. It is used as a major ingredient in curry powder preparation. In India, chillies are essentially used in vegetables, chutaney, pickles and meat preparations.

Since chilli is generally grown as transplanted crop, planting of healthy seedling is the most important for getting higher yields. Good nursery management is must for raising healthy nursery. Good seed is a pre-requisite for obtaining healthy seedling. Chilli nursery should be raised under low cost polyhouse. It provides ideal condition for raising of seedlings and protect the seedling from virus carrying vector. Generally the nursery beds are prepared in the size of 3m x 1m x 15 cm. About 12-15 nursery beds are required to sow seed. For raising healthy nursery, mix well decomposed FYM @ 3kg/m2 in soil. About 600-700g seeds for open pollinated varieties and 300-350 g for F1 hybrid are required to raise the seedlings to transplant one hectare of land. Seed can be sown in month of February, June and September in plains area and March-April in hills. Seed should be sown in line about 1-2 cm apart and 0.5-1.0 cm depth. Line to line distance are kept 5-8 cm. After sowing, rows are covered with treated fine FYM and irrigate the beds immediately with the help of rose-can. Light irrigation should be applied with rose can either early in the morning or late in the evening till seedlings are ready for transplanting. Regular weeding is important to get healthy seedling.

Chilli being long duration crop needs a judicious application of manures and fertilizers. Chilli responds very well to added nutrients in soil. Integrated application of 90:60:60 kg NPK + 10 t FYM + Biofertilizers (Azotobacter and Phosphotika) per hectare are recommended for higher yield and quality of chilli. FYM should be applied at the time of field preparation at least 3 week befor transplanting the crop. Light irrigation should be applied with rose can either early in the morning or late in the evening till seedlings are ready for transplanting. Regular weeding is important to get healthy seedling. The seeds germinate in 8-10 days after sowing depending upon availability of moisture and temperature.

Irrigation requirement depends upon season, soil type and type of irrigation. After transplanting the seedlings, light irrigation should be given daily for 3-4 days and subsequently on alternate days for 8-10 days for better establishment in the field.

The picking of fruits depends upon the type and purpose for which they are grown. Green fruits are harvested when they are still green but fully grown. It needs 5-6 pickings for harvesting the whole crop. Chillies used for drying are harvested at fully ripened red stage by hand picking. Ripe fruits are picked at 8-10 days intervals and harvesting continues over a period of about 3 months with 6-10 pickings depending upon the season, variety and cultural practices. In general, 100 kg of fresh ripe fruit yields 25-40 kg dry chilli depending upon the variety. The commercial chilli varieties gives 200-300 q/ha green yield and 20-25 q/ha dry yields in irrigated conditions and 50-60 q/ha green yield and 10-15 q/ha dry yield in rainfed conditions.