Arka Lohit
An IIHR-released variety on the same wide-adaptability, reliable-yield line as Kashi Anmol. Not yet individually researched for a detail page.
Quick facts
- Crop
- Chilli
- Type
- Open-pollinated
- Season
- Kharif
- Maturity period
- 150–170 days
- Expected yield
- Medium–High
- Suitable soil
- Loam
About this variety
Arka Lohit is an ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru chilli variety — two independently reachable IIHR variety pages, both directly fetched, describe it as a pure-line selection from IHR 324, a local collection. Plants are tall, with fruits 7-8 x 1 cm, pendent, firm, dark green turning deep red on maturity, smooth and straight, highly pungent (capsaicin 0.708%, capsanthin 0.205% per one of the two pages). It is suited to both irrigated and rainfed cultivation. The two IIHR pages disagree on yield figures: one states 75-80 q (green) / 15-18 q (dry) per acre, the other states 25 t/ha green and 3 t/ha dry — converting the first to a per-hectare basis (roughly 18.5-20 t/ha green) does not fully reconcile with the second's 25 t/ha, a real internal inconsistency between IIHR's own pages, not something resolved by any source checked this phase. One page also gives a duration of 180 days, close to but slightly above this record's own 150-170 day field.
Key characteristics
Yield & maturity
Maturity period
150–170 days
Expected yield
Medium–High
Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.
Pest & disease considerations
Major diseases
- Reviewed 2026-08-15, left as-is: neither of the two directly-fetched IIHR variety pages for Arka Lohit mentions any specific disease or pest resistance — this record's own "Moderate" diseaseResistance field is neither confirmed nor contradicted, just unaddressed by IIHR's own pages, so it is kept as an unconfirmed placeholder rather than treated as an error
Advantages & considerations
Why farmers may choose it
- Long, slender, dark-green-to-red fruit valued for pickles and chutneys, with high pungency (capsaicin 0.708% per one IIHR page)
- Suited to both irrigated and rainfed cultivation, widening where it can be grown
Things to consider
- Reviewed 2026-08-15, left as-is: IIHR's own two variety pages for Arka Lohit disagree with each other on yield — one gives 75-80 q (green)/15-18 q (dry) per acre, the other gives 25 t/ha green/3 t/ha dry — and converting the first to a per-hectare basis doesn't fully reconcile with the second. Since the two primary pages contradict each other rather than agreeing against this record, picking either one over this record's existing "Medium-High" qualitative band would trade a broad-but-safe figure for a specific-but-unreliable one, so the band is kept.
- One IIHR page states 180 days duration, slightly above this record's own 150-170 day field — a minor gap, not treated as a hard conflict
Suitable regions
States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.
- Karnataka
Frequently asked questions
What is the parentage of Arka Lohit chilli?
A pure-line selection from IHR 324, a local germplasm collection, per two directly-fetched, consistent IIHR variety pages.
What does Arka Lohit fruit look like?
Long and slender (7-8 x 1 cm), pendent, firm, dark green turning deep red on maturity, smooth, straight and highly pungent, per IIHR's own pages.
Is Arka Lohit resistant to any disease?
Not documented — neither of IIHR's own variety pages mentions specific disease or pest resistance for this variety. This record's "Moderate" diseaseResistance field should be read as unconfirmed rather than sourced.
What yield does Arka Lohit give?
IIHR's own two pages disagree — one says 75-80 q (green)/15-18 q (dry) per acre, the other says 25 t/ha green/3 t/ha dry, and the two don't fully reconcile when converted to the same unit. Treat this record's own "Medium-High" band as the safer reference.
Is Arka Lohit suitable for rainfed cultivation?
Yes — IIHR's own pages state it is suitable for both irrigated and rainfed cultivation.
Sourced from: Chilli - Arka Lohit — ICAR-IIHR official variety page, Chilli - Arka Lohit — ICAR-IIHR official variety page. editorial policy.