DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS OF SOIL RESIDUES OF DDT ON CHILIES (CAPSICUM-ANNUUM)

The effect of DDT residues on growth and yield of chilli (Capsicum ann uum) was studied. A high yielding and high capsaisin containing variet y of chilli (cv. Jwala) was grown in the field (black clay soil) follo wing normal agricultural practices in plots treated earlier with DDT a t the rate of 50kg a.i. ha(-1). These DDT treated plots after harvest were left fallow for two years and then chilli was grown for three suc cessive years dong with the untreated control plots. A significant red uction in growth and yield of chillies in treated plots was noticed ev en on third crop season. The detrimental effects of DIPT could be attr ibuted to high oil content of this crop.