The study investigates the impact of weather conditions on Colletotrichum capsici development in chili crops during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 Rabi seasons at the Vegetable Research Farm in Kalyanpur, CSAUA & T Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. In the 2021-22 seasons, disease emergence was noted during the 45th meteorological week of November 2021, characterized by moderate humidity (67.50%), a maximum temperature of 28.8°C, a minimum temperature of 12.8°C, zero rainfall, and wind speed at 1.80 km/hr, 4.40 hours of sunshine, and 20.40 mm total evaporation. The peak disease index (55.63%) materialized during the 13th meteorological week of March 2022, marked by weather conditions conducive to pathogen growth. The maximum infection rate occurred during the 46th and 47th meteorological weeks of November 2021, recorded at 0.099. In the subsequent 2022-23 season, disease onset was observed during the 45th meteorological week of November 2022, featuring higher humidity (94.0%), a maximum temperature of 29.9°C, a minimum temperature of 16.3°C, no rainfall, and wind speed at 1.40 km/hr, 4.40 hours of sunshine, and 16.80 mm total evaporation. The highest disease index (58.74%) materialized during the 13th meteorological week of March 2023, characterized by favorable weather conditions, including high humidity (82.00%), a maximum temperature of 32.2°C, a minimum temperature of 16.7°C, 39.20 mm of rainfall, wind speed at 4.60 km/hr, 7.30 hours of sunshine, and 19.80 mm total evaporation. The maximum infection rate occurred during the 46th and 47th meteorological week of November 2022 recorded at 0.084 & 0.135. These findings provide valuable insights into the weather-driven dynamics of Colletotrichum capsici in chili crops, offering significant guidance for the management and understanding of anthracnose in agricultural contexts.

Colletotrichum capsici, Anthracnose, Weather parameters, Rabi season, Disease incidence, Infection rate, Uttar Pradesh.

These findings offer valuable insights into anthracnose management in chili cultivation. Farmers and agricultural practitioners can use this knowledge to anticipate disease outbreaks based on meteorological conditions, implement preventive measures, and adjust cultivation practices. Additionally, researchers and policymakers can use this information to develop targeted strategies for disease control and crop protection, ultimately contributing to sustainable chili production.

Vivek Singh, U.K. Tripathi, Mukesh Kumar, Abhishek Singh, Ashwani Kumar Patel, Himendra Raj Raghuwanshi and Utkarsh Upadhyay (2023). Assessing the Seasonal Incidence of Anthracnose and its Relationship with Weather Parameters in Chilli Cultivation. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(9): 813-818.