Performance of rainfed chilli crop in Tamil Nadu under climate change in RCP4.5

Dry chilli, which stands third in production from the spice industry, has influenced the Indian diet to a greater extent . The impact of climate change conditions on chilli crop could, in turn, impart the economy deeply. Hence, the future projection of dry chilli production will surely enrich knowledge about crop performance. Climate data from CCSM4 being downscaled from RegCM 4.4 was used in yield projection till the end of 21st century through DSSAT crop simulation for two major cultivars of chilli in Tamilnadu viz., TNAU chilli hybrid CO1 and K1 variety under rainfed conditions. TNAU chilli hybrid CO1 and K1 varieties have shown negative yield deviations for all the agroclimatic zones of Tamilnadu under variable time scales. However, southern zone was exclusive in exhibting positive yield by 7 percent and 5 percent, respectively, during the end of century.