Noble Seeds’ Thrips tolerant NBH Apsara Chilli hybrid – a boon for chilli farmers

Previously, the common insect pest affecting Indian chilli crops was chilli thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis). In recent times though, black thrips (Thrips parvispinus) of Indonesian origin has rapidly spread to chilli growing areas in India, causing widespread infestations and damage.
In 2021, a higher level of black thrips infestation was recorded in more than 10 lakh acres of chilli crop in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka. This black thrips infestation affected exports, valued at 8,430 crore rupees in 2020-21.
The rapid multiplication of thrips (both chilli and black thrips) due to monocropping and repeated use of pesticides by farmers may be contributing to developing its resistance against many pesticides.
Therefore, developing thrips-tolerant hybrids is crucial for reducing yield loss caused by thrips infestations, benefiting chilli-growing farmers.
Noble Seeds Pvt. Ltd (Noble) has achieved a significant milestone by developing new chilli hybrids tolerant to thrips infestation.
Two years ago, Noble commercialized its “NBH-Apsara” tolerant to thrips in Andhra and Telangana regions.

NBH-Apsara showing tolerance to thrips incidence in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
NBH-Apsara is a high-yielding chilli hybrid with good pungency, moderate color, and good dry weight, generating good farmer profits.
Noble has extensively evaluated its “NBH-Apsara“ chilli hybrid for two consecutive years in farmer fields and competitor checks at major chilli growing areas of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.

Comparison of thrips tolerance in Noble hybrid compared with Commercial check in Andhra Pradesh chilli growing areas.

Comparison of thrips tolerance in Noble hybrid compared with Commercial check in Maharashtra chilli growing area.
Farmers have responded positively to NBH Apsara’s thrips tolerance performance, resulting in fewer insecticidal sprays, higher marketable yields, and better prices and profits for farmers.
Noble’s development of thrips-tolerant chilli hybrids is a boon for growers, helping them mitigate the losses from thrips infestations and maintain their livelihoods through returns from their chilli crops.
Noble has numerous new pipeline hybrids in the trialing stage at different locations, with lesser thrips infestation and higher yields than leading commercial checks facing severe thrips infestation.
Source – seedadmin@nobleseeds.org