INCIDENCE OF CHILLI LEAF CURL COMPLEX DISEASE IN MAJOR CHILLI GROWING AREAS OF TELANGANA

Abstract

Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the most valued cash crops of India. It is a common and widely cultivated spices crop almost all over the world. The
chilli fruits are small in size and known for their sharp acidic flavour, pungency and colour. The major chilli producing states in India are Andhra Pradesh,
Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. In 2019-20, Telangana occupied second position in chilli in area, production and productivity i.e.,
2.98 lakh acres, production 3.06 lakh metric tonnes and productivity 1545 Kg per acre respectively. The major chilli growing districts are Khammam, Mahabubabad, Gadwal, Suryapet and Warangal (Rural) in Telangana. During 2020-21, 1.91 lakh acres was covered under chilli crop (Chilli Outlook, 2020).