Dry Red Chilli variety · Released variety
Arka Lohit
Also known as Arka Lohit
ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bengaluru · IIHR, Karnataka (ICAR) · 1990 (recommended), 2003 (notified CSC)
Dark green smooth fruits, turning deep red on maturity with pointed tips, highly pungent. Straight pods suitable for fresh market. Yields 25 t/ha green, 3 t/ha dry. Early-maturing cultivar; suitable for both irrigated and rainfed cultivation.
Key facts
| Type | Released variety |
|---|---|
| Origin | ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bengaluru |
| Breeder / source | IIHR, Karnataka (ICAR) |
| Year released | 1990 (recommended), 2003 (notified CSC) |
| Parentage | Pure line selection from IHR 324 (local collection) |
| Yield | 25 t/ha green chilli; 3 t/ha dry chilli |
| Tolerance | Tolerant to powdery mildew and viruses |
| Distinctive features | Pure line; dark red dried pods; small to medium fruit size; straight pods with pointed tips; suitable for both fresh and dry markets |
| Grown in | South India (Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana); widely adopted across dry-chilli zones |
| Also known as | Arka Lohit |
Figures are indicative, compiled from public agricultural sources (ICAR institutes, State Agricultural Universities, the Spices Board and the National Innovation Foundation) and vary with soil, season and management. Confirm with your local package of practices.
Arka Lohit in detail
Arka Lohit is a straight-podded, early-maturing pure line from IIHR suited to both fresh and dry chilli markets.
Origin & story
Released by the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru (ICAR) in 1990, Arka Lohit was later notified by the Central Seed Committee on the list of Notified Varieties in 2003.
How it grows
Arka Lohit is an early-maturing cultivar that performs well under both irrigated and rainfed conditions. Fresh chilli yields reach about 25 tonnes per hectare; dried pods average around 3 tonnes per hectare.
Quality & character
Plants bear dark green, smooth fruits with straight orientation and pointed tips; on maturity the pods turn deep red. The fruit is highly pungent, which suits dried chilli trades that value heat and colour.
Why it matters to buyers
Straight pods suit fresh-market channels where uniformity matters, while the high pungency and deep red colour appeal to dry-chilli buyers. Early maturity and the ability to grow under both irrigated and rainfed conditions give some flexibility in seasonal planning.
About dry red chilli
India grows chillies across a spectrum of heat levels, colours, and purposes—from the mild, deep-red Byadgi prized for oleoresin and paprika, to the searingly hot Bhut Jolokia of Assam's Northeast. Between these extremes sit dozens of released varieties from ICAR institutes (IIHR Bengaluru, IARI Delhi) and state universities, plus landraces and regional…
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