Chilli, scientifically known as Capsicum annuum is one of the most important spice crops in India. It is commonly known as ‘Mirchi’ in India. It is widely cultivated for its pungent and non-pungent fruits in almost all parts of the country. Sweet pepper, bell pepper and green pepper are also grown in our country. India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of chilli in the world. Andhra Pradesh was the largest producer of chilli in the year 2022 with an estimated production volume of about 7 lakh metric tons. It is followed by Telangana, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka.
Chilli crop attacked by yellow mite causes heavy yield loss. Mites are considered as the most destructive and serious pests in chilli. Its infestation can lead to about 20–80% yield loss in chilli. Among different species of mites, yellow mite/broad mite is found to cause severe destruction in chilli crop.
Scientific name of yellow mite: Polyphagotarsonemus latus
Symptoms of mites in Chilli:
- Downward curling and crinkling appearance of affected chilli leaves
- Leaves become brittle and blister patches appears on the under surface of the leaves
- Affected leaves shows inverted boat shaped appearance
- In few cases, petiole of the infested leaves become elongated and this is often referred to as “rat tail” symptom
- Cluttering of younger leaves at the tip of the branch
- In certain cases, affected leaves shows dark green appearance
- Drying of growth tips, shedding of buds and defoliation of leaves occurs in case of severe infestation
- Leads to stunted growth and death of the plant
Damage stage of insect: Nymph and adult
Stage of occurrence: Seedling to fruiting stage
Preventive Measures for mite infestation:
- Grow mite tolerant varieties
- Chilli crop can be bordered by 3 – 4 rows of maize
- Maintain field sanitation by removing and destroying crop residues and weeds
- Avoid water stress and water logging conditions
- Timely pruning of infested leaves or removal of plants with symptoms
- Adopt overhead irrigation with sprinklers
- Reduce excessive use of chemicals
- Adopt crop rotation with non-host crops like legumes and cucurbits
- Regular monitoring of the crop to detect the infestation early
- Spray neem seed kernel extract or neem oil at 10 days interval
- Use natural predator like predatory mite, Amblyseius ovalis
ETL: 5-10 mites/leaf
Management of Mites in Chilli:
| Product name | Technical content | Dosage (per lit of water) |
| Biological Management | ||
| Econeem Biopesticide | Azadiractin 3000 PPM | 3 ml/lit water |
| R Mite Bio Acaricide | Plant extracts | 2 ml/ lit water |
| Terra Might | Herbal Formulation | 5 ml/lit water |
| Greenpeace Neemol (10000 PPM) Bio Neem Oil Insecticide | Neem Oil extracts (Azardiractin) | 2 ml/lit water |
| Chemical management | ||
| Oberon Insecticide | Spiromesifen 22.9% SC | 0.3 ml/lit water |
| Maiden Insecticide | Hexythiazox 5.45% EC | 1 ml/lit water |
| EMA Gold Insecticide | Emamectin Benzoate 5% SG | 0.5 gm/lit water |
| Godrej Hanabi | Pyridaben 20% WP | 1 gm/lit water |
| Sedna Insecticide | Fenpyroximate 5 % SC | 1 ml/lit water |
| Intrepid Insecticide | Chlorfenapyr 10% SC | 1.5 ml/lit water |
| Kunoichi Miticide | Cyenopyrafen 30% SC | 0.5 ml/lit water |
| Keefun Insecticide | Tolfenpyrad 15% EC | 2 ml/lit water |
| Omite Insecticide | Propargite 57% EC | 3 ml/lit water |
| Meothrin Insecticide | Fenpropathrin 30% EC | 0.5ml/lit water |
| Magister Insecticide | Fenazaquin 10% EC | 2 ml/lit water |
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