Chilli

History

Introduction Area and Production Origin and Diffusion Uses Chillies in Indian Languages

Introduction

Family : Solanaceae
Scientific Name : Capsicum annuum /Capsicum frutescens

  • Chillie is considered as one of the major commercial crops of the world.
  • Different varieties are grown for vegetables, spices, condiments, sauces and pickles.
  • Both green and dried chillies are the important components of our routine diet.
  • It will give the required pungency, colour, taste and flavour to our dishes.
  • When chillies taken with food stimulates our taste buds and there by increase the flow of saliva which contains the enzyme analyse which inturn helps in the digestion of starchy or cereal foods etc., into the easily assimible sugar namely glucose.
  • The presence of capsaicin in chilli is responsible for its pungency and it has medicinal value.
  • The extracted capsaicin is used in pain balms, cosmetics, medicines related to heart diseases.
  • Capsanthin, a pigment in chilli used for natural colouration to Jams, Jellies and squashes, since it is a natural pigment and no harmful or side effects on human health.
  • Hence, there is lot of demand for chilli oleoresin in the world market.
  • Chilli also contains vitamin A ,C and E. Because of these reasons chilli is having lot of export potential.

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Area and Production

  • Chilli crop is raised both for green and ripe dry fruits. World acreage either for green or ripe – dry fruits is not available separately. Major chilli growing countries are – India, China, Indonesia, Korea, Pakistan, Turkey and Sri Lanka in Asia; Nigeria, Ghana, Tunisia and Egypt in Africa; Mexico, United States of America in North – Central America; Yugoslavia, Spain, Romania, Bulgaria, Italy and Hungary in Europe and Argentina and Peru in South America. World Acreage under green chilli crop varies around 1001 thousand hectares with production 8740 thousand tons with average production of 8732 kg per hectare.
  • In India area under chilli crop raised during last three decades for ripe – red – dry fruits varies from 634 to 921 thousand hectares, with total production of 364 to 895 thousand tons of dry fruits with an average yield of 574 to 957 kg per hectare. The important chilli growing states are Andhrapradesh (Composite), Maharashtra, Karnataka, Orissa and Tamil Nadu forming more than 70 per cent acreage of India. The per unit production is high in the States Andhrapradesh (Composite), Tamil Nadu where the chilli crop is raised under irrigated condition than in Maharashtra and Karnataka, where the crop is raised mainly under rainfed situations. The major chilli growing district in India are Dharwad, Nagpur, Prakasam Khammam, Guntur and Warangal. During last two decades area under chilli in Dharwad district varies from 31 to 82 thousand hectares. The area under chilli crop in Dharwad district mainly depends upon price of chilli in the previous year and weather conditions.
  • Andhrapradesh (Composite) ranks first both in area (1.88L.ha) and production (2.7L.tons) with a productivity of 1447 kg/ha. Out of total chilli production 25% confined to A.P. chilli is cultivated in all districts of A.P, but the most important districts are Guntur, Prakasam, Krishna, Khammam, Warangal and Karimnagar.

World

  • Chilli is raised over an area of 1776 thousand hectares in the World, with a production of 7182 thousand tons.
  • India, China, Korea, Nigeria, U.S.S.R., Mexico are the major chilli growing countries.
  • At present, India is the largest producer of chillies in the world with a production of about 8.5 lakh tonnes, followed by China (4 lakh tonnes), Pakistan (3 lakh tonnes) and Mexico (3 lakh tonnes).
  • While in India the exportable surplus from annual production is only about 5 per cent, in China it is 30 per cent.
  • Chillies crop in India occupies an area of 0.759 m. ha and a production of 0.609 m.t. (dry) chillies in 1988-89.
  • The area and production of chilli during the year 1990 were 4, 41, 050 hectares and 9, 19, 339 tons, respectively with on average yield of 2.02 t/ha.
  • Area & Production of Chilli in the year 2002-03 was 825194 hectares and 841748 tonnes.
  • Bulk of chillies is consumed in India. Only 1 to 2% is exported to various countries worth 5 to 10 crore rupees.
  • At present, Andhrapradesh (Composite), Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal account for 85.8 per cent of the total area and 89.3 per cent of the total output of chillies in the country.
  • Chilli is cultivated in Guntur, Warangal, Khammam, Krishna, Hyderabad, Pundur, Nizamabad, Cuddpah, Rajamundry and Nellore districts in Andhrapradesh (Composite);
  • Dharwad, Mysore, Hasan, Bangalore, Bellary, Ranibennur Hubli, Gadag and Byadgi in Karnataka;
  • Nashik, Ahmednagar, Sholapur, Aurangabad, Nanded, Amravati and Lasalgaon in Maharashtra.
  • In Punjab and Haryana, chilli is cultivated in Amristar, Nabha. Patiala, Sunam and Samna; in Uttar Pradesh in Bareily and Khurja;
  • In Tamil Nadu chilli is grown in Coimbatore, Ramanathapuram, Tuticorin, Tirunelveli, Virudunagar, Kanayakumari, Madurai, Salem, Tiruchi, Villupuram and Cuddalore districts

All India Area, Production and Productivity of Chillies (Area, Lakh Hectares; Production, Lakh M.T.; Yield. Kg/Hectare)

Year
Area in Ha.
Production in Tonnes
Productivity (kg/ha)
1950-51
5.92
3.51
593
1960-61
6.67
4.19
628
1970-71
7.83
5.20
664
1975-76
7.40
4.34
587
1980-81
8.35
5.09
610
1985-86
9.04
8.77
970
1990-91
8.16
7.19
881
1991-92
8.46
6.18
730
1992-93
9.62
8.62
896
1993-94
9.30
8.00
860
1994-95
8.29
7.95
958
1995-96
8.84
8.10
916
1996-97
9.26
8.84
988
1997-98
8.40
8.70
1035
1998-99
8.91
10.43
1171
1999-2000
9.59
10.52
1098
2000-01
8.37
9.84
1176
2001-02
8.80
10.69
1215
2002-03
8.27
8.95
1081
2003-04
7.74
12.36
1596
2004-05
7.37
11.86
1607
2005-06
6.55
10.15
1551
2006-07
7.63
12.42
1627
2007-08
8.06
12.98
1611
2008-09
7.79
12.69
1630
2009-10
7.67
12.03
1568
2010-11
7.92
12.23
1544
2011-12
8.05
12.76
1586
2012 - 13
7.94
13.04
1643

Statewise Area, Production and Productivity of Chilli in India during 2012-13

State
Area in 000' Ha.
Production in 000' Tonnes

Andhra Pradesh (Composite)

210.02

685.15

Karnataka

100.73

107.00

Maharashtra

99.50

45.60

Odisha

75.60

70.00

Tamilnadu

50.67

23.06

West Bengal

63.60

100.00

Madhya Pradesh

54.41

93.57

Rajasthan

12.21

17.71

Uttar Pradesh

13.47

10.30

Gujarat

43.40

68.43

Assam

20.59

15.96

Punjab

10.60

17.70

Bihar

2.90

3.00

Manipur

6.50

3.90

Mizoram

9.02

8.21

Meghalaya

1.85

1.41

Tripura

2.35

3.27

ArunachalPradesh

2.50

4.40

Jammu& Kashmir

0.56

0.54

Kerala

1.91

3.90

Nagaland

0.80

1.00

All India

794.12

1304.38

Source : NHB

  • The area under chillies went up to 8,70,000 hectares in 1995-96 from 8,29,100 hectares in 1994-95 and the output to 8,32,600 tonnes in 1995-96 from 7,94,700 tonnes in 1994-95.
  • In 1996-97, India produced 8.837 lakh tonnes chillies from 9.26 lakh hectares of land under cultivation.
  • But in 2002-03 the area came down to some 8.27 lakh hectares and the production tivity also came down to some 8.95 lakh tonnes.
    In 2012 - 13 area further came down to 7.94 lakh hectares, but production has gone upto 13.04 lakh tonnes.
  • India is the largest, even if highly erratic, producer of chillies in the world.
  • From 3.5 lakh tonnes in 1950-51, India's output of chillies went up to 7.79 lakh tonnes in 1992-93 before declining to about 7.30 lakh tonnes in 1993-94 and less than 6.00 lakh tonnes in 1994-95.
  • In 1995-96, however, a bumper crop of 9.00 lakh tonnes was harvested.
  • The share in production was: Andhrapradesh (Composite), 49 per cent, Karnataka 5.6 per cent and Maharashtra 8.4 per cent.
  • At present, Andhrapradesh (Composite) accounts for 40 per cent of the total production of chillies in India. It is followed by Karnataka with 13-14 per cent, Maharashtra and Orissa with 8-9 per cent each and Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal with 5-6 per cent each.
  • Total area under hot and sweet chillies in the world was 1.057 m. ha (excluding India) with the production of 8.766 m.t. (fresh) chillies.
  • India is one of the leading countries so far as chilli area and production is concerned.

District wise Area, Production & Productivity of Chillies in Andhrapradesh (Composite) 2010

District
Area in Ha.
Production in Tonnes
Yield in t/ha
Srikakulam
2875
12757
4.44
Vizianagaram
1583
1854
1.17
Visakhapatnam 1590 5390 3.39
East Godavari 731 2786 3.81
West Godavari 1628 4560 2.80
Krishna 10988 37180 3.41
Guntur 64768 219101 3.39
Prakasham 16812 64404 3.83
Nellore 1044 3886 3.72
Chittoor 2034 4153 2.04
Cuddapah 761 2107 2.77
Ananthapur 1968 7307 3.71
Kurnool 11544 32845 2.85

Source : DACNET

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Origin and Diffusion of Chillies

  • The native home of chilli is considered to new Mexico with secondary origin of Guatemala. They are known from pre-historic remains of Peru.
  • They were widely cultivated in central and South America. Till the discovery of America Chilli crop was unknown to Europe.
  • Chilli is carried to the old world by the early explorers being introduced into Spain in 1493 and later spread repidly to Europe. Chilli introduced into India by Portuguese in 16th century.
  • Chilli also known as hot peppers and Capsicums also referred as bell peppers or sweet peppers belong to the genus Capsicum which is a member of the Solanaceae family.
  • Genus Capsicum is divided into three sections by Hunziker (1956) - Monotypic Tubocapsicum and Pseudoacnistus and Capsicum. All the species in the genus have n=12 except C.ciliatum and C.scolnikianum which have n=13.
  • Capsicum includes 22 wild species and three varieties as wll as five domesticated species and their wild relatives. In general domesticated species have larger but fewer fruits than its wild counterparts though seed per plant is about the same.
  • Wild peppers have deciduous; errect fruits while their domesticated relatives have persistent, pendunt fruits, Capsicum annum var annum is the most widely grown and economically cultivated outside the Americas.
  • The presence of calyx teeth and the single white large flower at each nodes distinguishes it from other cultivated species. Capsicum chinese is devoid of calyx teeth, has dull white corolla and a construction between the base of calyx and pedicel.
  • The most closely related species to C. chinese, C. frutescenes. However, greenish white corolla and no constriction between the base of the calyx and pedicel distinguished C. frutescenes from C.chinense.
  • The most distinguishing characteristics of C. baccatum var pendulum is the presence of short calyx teeth and a cream-to-white coloured corolla with paired yellow to green spots on each corolla lobe.
  • Capsicum pubescensis practically unknown outside Latin America. It bears deep purple to faintly violet corolla with white center, black to brown seeds, a fruit with a distinct neck and calyx with small teeth.
  • Though the domesticated C. annum, C. chinese and C. frutescens are distinct species, it is probable the wild forms of these species are more closer genetically and may have originated from common ancestors.
  • This ancestral comp[lex of C. annum, C. chinese, C. frutescens probably occured throughout South america, Meso-america, Southern North America and West Indies.
  • Wild peppers presumbly occured in small populations separated by space and time, which in course of time evolved into three distinct forms-wild. C. frutescens in South America and the West Indies.
  • The domesticated species C. pubescens is closely related to C. cardenasii and C. eximium. It is believed that C. pubescens and C. eximium (C. cardensii) had a common wild ancestors.
  • Among the Capsicum spp. C. annum is the one which is grown commercially the most. Until recently improvement, in C. annum was achieved by hybridisation and or selection within C. annum. However, useful genes especially those resposible for disease resistance, are available, in other domesticated Capsicum spp. And their wild relatives.
  • Phytophthora and Leveillula taurica resistance has been found in C. baccatum. Resistance to cucumber mosaic virus and potato virus in C. baccatum. In addition, drought resistance has been reported in C. cardenasii.
  • The domesticated Capsicum spp. can be grouped into two groups depending upon cross compatibility.
  • The white flowered taxa which includes C. annum, C. chinense and C. frutescens.
  • The purple flowered taxa consisting of C. pubescens, C. eximium and C. cardenasii.

Species/Variety Distribution
C.annuum var.annuum Low and Meso-america.
C.annuum var.aviculare Southern borders of U.S.A South through the Caribbean and Northern South America and into low land tropical Peru.
C. chinense Carribean, throughout low land, tropical, western, central and eastern south America and as far as Southern Brazil.
C. frutescens Carribean, through Northern South America.
C.baccatum var.pendulum Northern argentina to Northern Columbia, Coast of Western South America.
C.baccatum var.baccatum Bolivia, Northern Argentina, South Central Peru, Paraguary andSouthern Brazil.
C. pubescens Throughout Andean South America.
C. eximium Central and Southern Bolivia to northern Argentina
C. candenasaii Bolivia

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Uses of Chillies

  • A spice on account of its pungency and pleasant flavour.
  • Used as a major ingredient in curry powder and in culinary preparations.
  • In India chillies are essentially used in vegetable and meat preparations either fresh or dry.
  • Used for pickle preparations.
  • When chillies taken with food stimulates our taste buds and there by increase the flow of saliva which contains the enzyme amylase which inturn helps in the digestion of starchy or cereal foods etc., into the easily assimible sugar namely glucose.
  • Capsaicin has significant physiological action which is used in many pharmaceutical preparations like and ointments for cold, some throat, chest congestion etc.,
  • It is also used in cosmetics like prickly heat powders and skin ointments.
  • Also used as carminative, toxic and stimulant.
  • Extract of chillies are used in the preparation of ginger beer and other beverages.
  • Oleoresin is used in pain balms,vapours, etc.,

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Chillies in Indian Languages

  • Hindi, Punjabi & Urdu : Lal Mirch
  • Bengali : Lanka/Lanka Morich
  • Gujarati : Marcha
  • Kannada : Menessina Kayi
  • Kashmiri : Marstu, Waungum
  • Malayalam : Mulaku
  • Marathi : Mirchi
  • Oriya : Lanka
  • Tamil : Milagai
  • Telugu : Mirapakayi
  • Nepali : Khursani

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Andhra Pradesh

Chilli

Chilli Management