Foundation seeds of three chilli varieties available for sale at Regional Horticultural Research Station, Lam Farm, starting June 16, says official
The Regional Horticultural Research Station, Lam Farm, Associate Director C. Venkata Ramana, has stated that foundation seeds of three chilli varieties — LCA-625, LCA-657 and LCA-643 — will be available for sale starting Monday, June 16.
In a press release on Friday, he said that the LCA-643 variety is suitable for both green chilli and dry chilli production. The pods are long (13–14 cm), light green in color and attractive. When dried, they appear slightly wrinkled and have a bright red color, resembling the Byadgi variety. It has good tolerance to leaf curl disease and some resistance to Gemini virus. It also yields well even under infestation by Helicoverpa (Spodoptera) if managed with minimal pesticide use, he said.
Mr. Venkata Ramana said that the LCA-625 variety is ideal for dry chilli. Plants are tall, with strong branches and dense foliage due to closely spaced nodes. It is especially suitable for direct sowing in the main field. The pods are slender, medium in length (8–10 cm), and resemble the Teja variety. The green pods are dark green, and when ripened, they are highly pungent (45,000–50,000 SHU) with attractive red colour (60–65 ASTA). The skin is thin, and due to its pungency, it has some resistance to fruit rot disease and low flower drop, he said.
Mr. Venkata Ramana said that the LCA-657 variety is suitable for direct sowing post-kharif season and is tolerant to Gemini virus. The plants are tall with strong stems and upright branches, supported by a robust root system. The pods are long (11–12 cm), dark green, and turn deep red with a white calyx when ripe, making them visually appealing. It has a high pungency (50,000–55,000 SHU) and attractive color. The variety is also drought-tolerant, he said.
Farmers interested in purchasing these seeds can visit the Regional Horticultural Research Station, Lam Farm, from June 16, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily, as long as the seed stock is available. Lam Farm will be closed on second Saturdays and Sundays.
The price is ₹1,200 per kg. The chilli seeds are available exclusively at Lam Farm, and if anyone outside claims to sell the same seeds under the same names, farmers should not purchase them. For more information, people should contact 99898 09554 / 94405 92982, he added
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