2014

A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND

CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES
Authors
Ravi Shankar, Seema Harsha, Raj Bhandary

R & D department
TROPICA SEEDS PVT LTD | No 54,
South End Road, 1st Floor, Nama
Aurore Building, Basavangudi,
Bangalore 560004 INDIA
A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES

Key aspects covered

Disease Diagnosis and

Identification
Cultural aspects of
disease control
Biological aspects of
disease control
Chemical aspects of
disease control

Tropica seeds pvt ltd

Global research local roots

I
Page
 A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES

A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES

PURPOSE OF THIS GUIDE

This guide outlines the key issues that should be considered in relation to the Diagnosis and Identification of pepper diseases and also Integrated Disease
Management (IDM) for Pepper crops. The guide addresses the key control methods and their rating in an IDM system for the major disease from Fungi, Bacteria,
virus, and nematode, and it also covers non infectious diseases.

The guide is useful for research scientists, field assistants, marketing personnel and farmers.

CONTACT US
Phone: +9180267660/79
Email: info@tropicaseeds.com
Web: www.tropicaseeds.com

Disclaimer
This publication may be of assistance to you but Tropica seeds and its employees
do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate
for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other
Consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

TROPICA SEEDS PVT LTD

No 54, South End Road, 1st Floor,
NamaAurore Building,
Basavangudi, Bangalore 560004
INDIA
Global Research Local Roots

II
Page
 A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES

Contents Page no.

Plant disease diagnosis 1-2

Plant disease management 3

Bacterial diseases
Bacterial spot Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria 4
Bacterial wilt Ralstonia solanacearum 5
Bacterial canker Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis 6 Viral diseases
Fungal diseases Alfalfa mosaic Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) 20
Beet curly top Beet curly top virus (BCTV) 21
Anthracnose Colletotrichum gloeosporioides 7 Chili leaf curl Tobacco leaf curl virus (TLCV) 22
Cercospora (frogeye) leaf spot Cercospora capsici 8 Cucumber mosaic Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) 23
Choanephora blight (wet rot) Choanephora cucurbitarum 9 Potato virus Y Potato virus Y (PVY) 24
Fusarium wilt Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. capsici 10 Tobacco etch Tobacco etch virus (TEV) 25
Fusarium stem and root rot Fusarium solani 11 Tobacco mosaic and Tomato mosaic Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) 26
Gray leaf spot Stemphylium solani 12 Tomato spotted wilt Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) 27
Gray mold Botrytis cinerea 13
Phytophthora blight Phytophthora capsici 14 Abiotic diseases
Powdery mildew Leveillula taurica 15
Southern blight Sclerotium rolfsii 16 Blossom-end rot Deficiency of calcium in fruit 28
Verticillium wilt Verticillium spp 17 Sunscald Exposure of fruit to sunlight and heat 29
White mold Sclerotinia sclerotiorum 18

Nematodes, parasitic References- 30

Root knot Meloidogyne incognita 19

III
Page
 A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES
Plant Disease Diagnosis
The diagnostician must have very good observation skills, and he or she also
needs to be a good detective. It is important to keep an open mind until all of
the facts related to the problem can be collected. The possibility of multiple
causal factors must also be considered. Control measures depend on proper
identification of diseases and of the causal agents. Therefore, diagnosis is one
of the most important aspects of a plant pathologist's training. Without
proper identification of the disease and the disease-causing agent, disease
control measures can be a waste of time and money and can lead to further
plant losses. Proper disease diagnosis is therefore vital.
Often, plant pathologists have to rely on symptoms for the identification of a
disease problem. Because similar symptoms can be produced in response to
different causal agents, the use of symptoms alone is often an inadequate method
for disease identification. The identification of the disease-causing agent may take
a week or more. One needs to ask many questions related, in order to eliminate or
identify possible causes of the problem. He also needs to consider various
environmental and cultural factors. As a result of his questions and observations he
may:
Be able to identify a disease and disease-causing agent,
Be able to narrow the problem down to several possibilities which will
require further study in the laboratory before he can make a final diagnosis,
or
Be completely baffled by the problem.
This article presents the various steps/activities which are associated with
accurate plant disease diagnosis. The process may vary with different diseases and
conditions but the overall process is relatively consistent. The steps all require
careful observations and questions. The steps include:
Know what Normal is
Proper plant identification. Identification of affected plants is one of the first
steps in diagnosing a plant disease. Both scientific and common names of the plant
should be noted.
Recognize healthy plant appearance. It is important to know the normal
appearance of the plant species you are investigating. Each plant species has
special growth habits, colours and growth rates. If you do not know what to expect
of the plant you cannot recognize when something is wrong.
Check for Symptoms and Signs
Identify characteristic symptoms. Describing the characteristic symptoms
exhibited by a specimen can be very difficult to do accurately. Because of this, it is
often difficult, if not impossible, to determine what is wrong with a plant when a
person is describing symptoms over the phone.
Underdevelopment of tissues or organs. Examples include such
symptoms as stunting of plants, shortened internodes, and inadequate
development of roots, malformation of leaves, inadequate production of
chlorophyll and other pigments, and failure of fruits and flowers to develop.
Overdevelopment of tissues or organs. Examples include: galls on roots,
stems, or leaves, witches' brooms, and profuse flowering.
Necrosis or death of plant parts. These may be some of the most
noticeable symptoms, especially when they affect the entire plant, such as
wilts or diebacks. Other examples include shoot or leaf blights, leaf spots,
and fruit rots.
Alteration of normal appearance. Examples include mosaic patterns of
light and dark green on leaves, and altered coloration in leaves and flowers.
Identify symptom variability. Variations in symptoms expressed by diseased
plants may lead to an improper diagnosis. These variations can result from a
couple of factors. It is possible that there is more than one problem present, and in
some cases there may be more than one pathogen infecting a plant. Symptoms
associated with these infected plants may be significantly different from the
symptoms expressed in response to each of the different pathogens acting
separately
Look for signs of biotic causal agents. Signs of plant disease agents are the
observable evidence of the actual disease-causing agent. Signs may include the
mycelia of a fungal agent, fungal spores, and spore-producing bodies. Indications of
insects causing problems may include the actual insect, insect frass, mite webbing,
and insect eggs. Signs are much more specific to disease-causing agents than are
symptoms and are extremely useful in the diagnosis of a disease and identification
of the agent causing the disease. The use of a hand lens and a knife can be valuable
1
for a diagnostician in the field.
Page
 A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES
Identify Plant Part Affected - Are symptoms associated with specific plant
parts?
It is important to note if the symptoms observed are associated with specific plant
parts. For example, is a wilt observed correlated with a disruption of the vascular
system which may be indicated by browning of the vascular system or are the roots
of the plants abnormal including rots, decreased feeder roots, etc.; are necrotic
lesions observed strictly on younger leaves? The symptoms of some diseases are
most commonly seen on specific plant parts and this observation can be important
in diagnosis.
Check distribution of symptoms. One of the first things that a diagnostician
should note is how the diseased plants are distributed over the affected area. Are
they distributed uniformly across an area or are they localized? Is there a definite
pattern to the distribution? For example, does it occur only along the edges of a
greenhouse near open windows, next to roadways or driveways, in low spots of a
field, along a planted row, or is it affecting plants at random in a field? This
distribution can be especially important in looking at the possibility of non-
infectious problems, such as improper herbicide use or various soil factors. A
uniform pattern on an individual plant and uniform damage patterns over a large
area are generally not associated with biotic agents, but are usually due to abiotic
agents.
Check for host specificity. Is the problem occurring in only one plant species or
are different plant species affected? If different plant species are affected, this
suggests the possibility of a non-infectious problem which could be related to
cultural or environmental problems. However, Phytophthora and Pythium root
rots can cause problems on many different plant species; therefore, the fact that
more than one plant species is affected does not completely eliminate infectious
agents. If there is more than one species of plant involved, are these plants closely
related and can they be infected by a common pathogen?
Laboratory Tests
Sometimes neither symptoms nor signs provide enough specific or characteristic
information to decide the cause of an infectious plant disease. In such cases, it may
be necessary to bring a sample back to the laboratory for further tests to isolate
and identify the causal agent.
Incubation of plant material. One of the first steps when getting back to the
laboratory may be to place a sample of the diseased tissue under conditions that
will allow an infectious agent to grow and possibly induce sporulation. This can be
accomplished by placing a leaf in a moist chamber. A moist chamber can be a
sterile petri dish containing a wet filter paper in the bottom of the dish and a
triangle of glass tubing on which the sample is placed so that the sample is not
directly on the wet filter paper but is exposed to humid conditions. This type of
moist chamber will work for small and relatively flat specimens such as leaves.
Plastic bags or boxes may be necessary for larger specimens. Saprophytes that are
present on the specimen can also be encouraged to grow in a moist chamber and a
brief surface swab with 70% isopropanol or 0.1-1% sodium hypochlorite may be
useful in reducing these saprophytes. Moist chambers are generally incubated at
room temperature.
Isolation and identification of biotic plant disease causal agents. Isolation of
fungi usually requires that pieces of infected plant tissue be placed on various
nutrient media. The organism that grows out of this tissue is then isolated in pure
culture. Bacteria are often isolated by chopping up infected tissue in a small
amount of sterile water. This water: bacteria suspension is then streaked onto a
bacteriological medium such as nutrient agar. Several problems can occur when
trying to isolate the plant pathogenic agent. The infected plant tissue may contain
one or more saprophytes which have moved into the infected tissue. These
saprophytes may outgrow the plant pathogen on the nutrient medium, obstructing
accurate identification of the pathogen. In some cases where a specific plant
pathogen is suspected, a medium selective for the suspected pathogen may be
utilized. It is also beneficial to attempt to isolate the plant pathogen from the
margins of the diseased tissue where the pathogen is more numerous or more
active than saprophytes that quickly colonize the recently killed tissue.
Diagnostic tests for identification of biotic causal agents. A major problem in
identification of biotic causal agents is the inability of some infectious pathogens to
grow on artificial media. Viruses, as well as some fungi (e.g. powdery and downy
mildew causing agents) and some prokaryotes (e.g. phytoplasmas), require a living
host in order to grow. In cases where the plant pathogen is difficult or impossible
to grow on artificial media, other methods may be used for their detection, such as
the use of serological tests for viruses. Viral identification is often accomplished
utilizing ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) which is based on the
binding of an antibody produced to a specific virus with the virus in the infected
plant material1. More tests are currently being developed using the polymerase
chain reaction (PCR) for detection of specific organisms. These types of reactions
take specialized equipment and reagents, and the tests are not commonly done
outside diagnostic and research laboratories. Other techniques used for the
identification of viruses include negative staining and electron microscopy to view
the viral particles in plant tissue or suspensions.
2
Page
 A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES
Plant Disease Management
The goal of plant disease management is to reduce the economic and aesthetic
damage caused by plant diseases. Specific management programs for specific
diseases are not intended since these will often vary depending on circumstances
of the crop, its location, disease severity, regulations and other factors. Plant
disease management practices rely on anticipating occurrence of disease and
attacking vulnerable points in the disease cycle (i.e., weak links in the infection
chain). Therefore, correct diagnosis of a disease is necessary to identify the
pathogen, which is the real target of any disease management program.
The many strategies, tactics and techniques used in disease management can be
grouped under one or more very broad principles of action. Included four general
disease control principles, exclusion,eradication, protection&Immunization(the
latter principle is more appropriately called resistance since plants do not have an
immune system)
EXCLUSION
This principle is defined as any measure that prevents the introduction of a
disease-causing agent (pathogen) into a region, farm, or planting. The basic
strategy assumes that most pathogens can travel only short distances without the
aid of some other agent such as humans or other vector, and that natural barriers
like oceans, deserts, and mountains create obstacles to their natural spread.
ERADICATION
This principle aims at eliminating a pathogen after it is introduced into an area but
before it has become well established or widely spread. It can be applied to
individual plants, seed lots, fields or regions but generally is not effective over large
geographic areas.
PROTECTION
This principle depends on establishing a barrier between the pathogen and the
host plant or the susceptible part of the host plant. It is usually thought of as a
chemical barrier, e.g., a fungicide, bactericide or nematicide, but it can also be a
physical, spatial, or temporal barrier. The specific strategies employed assume that
pathogens are present and that infection will occur without the intervention of
protective measures.
Many cultural practices can be modified to manage the occurrence, intensity or
severity of plant diseases. These include selection of suitable growing sites for the
crop, adequate tillage to bury pathogen-infested plant residues, rotation to non
susceptible crops, selecting pathogen-free planting stocks, orientation of plantings
to improve exposure to sun and air currents, pruning and thinning to eliminate
sources of infection and improve aeration in and around susceptible plants, water
management on both plants and in soil, adequate nutrition, proper cultivation to
improve root growth and avoid plant injury, and sanitation procedures to eliminate
sources of inoculum.
Biological control involves the use of one living organism to control another, and
this management technology has received much attention in recent times. However,
the number of biological agents registered for use is relatively small, success has
been limited, and application has been largely restricted to intensively managed,
high value crops such as greenhouse plants.
RESISTANCE
Use of disease-resistant plants is the ideal method to manage plant diseases, if
plants of satisfactory quality and adapted to the growing region with adequate
levels of durable resistance are available. The use of disease-resistant plants
eliminates the need for additional efforts to reduce disease losses unless other
diseases are additionally present.
INTEGRATED DISEASE MANAGEMENT
Integrated Disease Management (IDM) is a concept derived from the successful
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) systems developed by entomologists for insect
and mite control. In most cases IDM consists of scouting with timely application of
a combination of strategies and tactics. These may include site selection and
preparation, utilizing resistant cultivars, altering planting practices, modifying the
environment by drainage, irrigation, pruning, thinning, shading, etc., and applying
pesticides, if necessary. But in addition to these traditional measures, monitoring
environmental factors (temperature, moisture, soil pH, nutrients, etc.), disease
forecasting, and establishing economic thresholds are important to the
management scheme.
3
Page
 A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES

Bacterial spot of pepper

Causal organism: Xanthomonas campestris pv.
Vesicatoria

Symptoms Conditions for disease Cultural and Biological control Chemical control
development measures if any Chemical name Dosage(g PHI Remarks
or ml/litre) (days)
Characteristic bacterial spot symptoms can Xanthomonas is seed-borne on Use pathogen-free seeds and Copper hydroxide 2g/litre 0 7-10 day interval
appear on the leaves, fruits, stem, and the seed surface and within transplants. (kocide) application
petioles. On leaves, symptoms begin as the seed. Infected seed and Use sodium hypochlorite-treated
small, yellow-green circular lesions transplants moved over long seed to reduce bacterial Copper sulphate 2g/litre 1 5-10 day interval; a tank
surrounded by a yellowish halo. These distances can be the initial populations. (cuproxat) mix with mancozeb will
spots appear water-soaked under wet source of inoculum for Practice crop rotation with non- give added control
conditions. As the lesions mature, a general epidemics. The bacterium also host plants such as corn and
Streptomycin 6g/10 litre 15 Should be used on
yellowing extending from the area around survives in crop debris, soybean so that peppers are sulphate+ tetracyclin younger stage of the crop
the lesions develops on diseased leaves volunteer plants and in grown only every 3 to 4 years. hydrochloride growth, do not use
and the center of the spots become brown solanaceous weeds. High However, do not use soybeans in (agrimycin) during fruiting stage
to black and sunken. Tissue in the center of relative humidity and heavy the rotation if white mold Mancozeb 3g/litre 10 Used as a protectant
the lesion often dries and breaks away, dew formation on leaves, (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) has (Dithane M-45)
giving a "shot-hole" appearance to the leaf. together with warm weather, been a problem. Deep plow to
When spots are numerous, they may join favour infection and bury infected crop debris. Avoid
together and form irregular discolored development of Bacterial Spot. working in the field when foliage Cuprous oxide 2g/litre 7 7-10 day interval
streaks along the veins and leaf margins. The bacterium is readily is wet. (Nordox)
Edges and tips of leaves may die, then dry water-splashed from infected Eliminate wild host plants such
and break away, causing leaves to appear Transplants or debris to as nightshade and ground cherry
ragged. Severely spotted leaves turn yellow healthy plants. Fruit are in and around field. Note:
or brown and fall from the plant; young infected through growth 1. Copper fungicides should not be used at flowering stage in
solanaceous crops.
leaves can be distorted. Fruit spots begin as cracks, abrasions, insect
2. Before using combination sprays, please check the label of the
green, circular, slightly raised lesions punctures and other wounds. product
which eventually become brown or dark, Secondary fruit rots often
raised, and about 1/8 inch in diameter. develop around Bacterial Spot
Centers of the spots become necrotic, lesions during damp weather.

4
corky, and scab-like

Page

Symptoms
Initial symptoms of wilt
occur in younger leaves and
slight yellowing of older
leaves. The wilted leaves
maintain their green colour
and do not fall off as disease
progresses. Under conditions
favourable to the
disease Complete wilt occurs.
Wilting and death is
accompanied by dark brown
internal discoloration of the
vascular elements.
White, milky strand of
bacterial ooze
flows out when a freshly cut
section of infected stem base
is placed in water.
A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES
Conditions for disease
development
The bacterium is soil-borne and
waterborne and can survive on
diseased plant debris. It enters the
plant through wounds on the roots
due to cultivation, insect or
nematode feeding and emergence
of lateral roots.
High temperatures (30-35C) and
high soil moisture favour disease
development.
The disease is common in heavy
soils and in low-lying areas that
can retain soil moisture for long
periods.
The bacteria is spread by furrow
irrigation or surface water,
cultivation, transplanting,
wounding and pruning. It is
spread from one field to another
through infested soil transported
with seedlings or with farm
implements.
Bacterial wilt of Peppers
Causal organism: Ralstonia solanacearum
Cultural and Biological control Chemical control
measures if any Chemical name Dosage(g or PHI Remarks
ml/litre)
Avoid planting in contaminated land Streptomycin sulphate+ 6g/10 litre 15 Should be used on
or areas with previous history of high tetracyclin hydrochloride younger stage of the
BW incidence. (Agrimycin) crop growth, do not use
Remove wilted plants including roots during fruiting stage
as soon as symptoms are observed to Copper oxychloride 3g/litre 4 Used as soil drenching
minimize spread of disease from plant (Blitox) at the root zone of the
to plant. plant
Eradicate weeds which may harbour
bacteria to reduce source of inoculum
in the field. Note:
1. Copper fungicides should not be used at flowering stage in solanaceous crops.
Seedtreatment with Pseudomonas 2. Before using combination sprays, please check the label of the product
fluorescens at the rate of 4g/kg of seed
before sowing.
Seedling root dip with P.fluorescens
(10 g/litre of water) and planting in
green manure amended soil.
Crop rotation with maize-sorghum-
ragi or maize-onion or garlic and rice.
5
Page

Symptoms
Symptoms of bacterial canker in pepper
include leaf and fruit spots and, less
frequently, systemic wilt. In localized
infections, symptoms first appear as
small blisters or raised white spots on
leaves and stems. Later, the centres of
the leaf spots become brown and
necrotic, and develop a white halo. Stem
lesions often develop a crusty
appearance and elongate to form
cankers. Symptoms on fruit first appear
as very small, round, slightly raised
spots. These spots gradually increase in
size and may develop a brown centre
and a white halo. When these are
numerous, spots merge and take on a
crusty appearance. In systemic
infections, a gradual wilting occurs.y
plant death.
A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES
Conditions for disease
development
The bacterium enters the plant
via wounds and stomata.
Clavibacter may be seedborne
and may infest the seed
externally or under the seed coat.
High relative humidity and
daytime temperatures between
25 and 30C (77 and 86F)
favor the disease. Dense plant
populations and overhead
irrigation also provide an ideal
environment to spread the
bacterium. Insects, tools, and
human contact may also aid
spread.
Bacterial canker of Pepper
Causal organism: Clavibacter michiganensis
subsp. michiganensis
Cultural and Biological control Chemical control
measures if any Chemical name Dosage(g PHI Remarks
or
ml/litre)
Sow only tested seed and Streptomycin sulphate+ 6g/10 15 Should be used on
certified transplants. tetracycline hydrochloride litre younger stage of the crop
Do not transplant peppers into (agrimycin) growth, do not use
ground used for tomatoes during fruiting stage
during the previous season. Copper oxychloride 3g/litre 4 Used as soil drenching at
Clean cultivation equipment (Blitox) the root zone of the plant
before entering a new field,
Avoid entering fields when
foliage is wet and incorporate Note:
plant debris immediately after 1. Copper fungicides should not be used at flowering stage in
solanaceous crops.
harvest to help reduce losses.
2. Before using combination sprays, please check the label of the product
Never harvest fruit from
symptomatic plants.
Rogue all symptomatic and
adjacent plants. Rotate to a non-
host for a minimum of three
years if the disease is found in a
field.
6
Page

Symptoms
Circular or angular sunken
lesions develop on immature
fruit of any size. Often multiple
lesions form on individual fruit.
When disease is severe, lesions
may coalesce. Often pink to
orange masses of fungal spores
form in concentric rings
on the surface of the lesions. In
older lesions, black structures
called acervuli may be
observed. With a hand lens,
these look like small black dots;
under a microscope they look
like tufts of tiny black hairs. The
pathogen forms spores quickly
and profusely and can spread
rapidly throughout a pepper
crop, resulting in up to 100%
yield loss. Lesions may also
appear on stems and leaves as
irregularly shaped brown spots
with dark brown edges
A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES
Conditions for disease
development
The pathogen is soil-borne and
overwinters on plant debris from
infected crops and in other plant
species
Spores produced on foliage can
be carried through rain splashes
to the developing green fruit.
Although symptoms do not
appear until the fruit is ripening,
the infection actually occurs
when fruits are small and green.
Diseased fruit, foliage and stems
are source of secondary
inoculum, which spreads from
plant to plant in the field.
The disease is favoured by
moderate temperature (20-24C)
and frequent rainfall.
Anthracnose of Pepper
Causal organism: Colletotrichum capsici
Cultural and Biological control Chemical control
measures if any Chemical name Dosage(g PHI Remarks
or ml/litre) (days)
Plant only seed from disease- Mancozeb+carbendazim 2+1g/litre 3 Used as a protectant as
freeplants or seed treated to reduce any (Dithane M-45+ well as curative action
fungal populations. Seed can be Bavistin)
disinfested with a 30-minute soak at
52C. Use only transplants free Pyraclostrobin (cabrio) 1g/litre 0 7-14 day interval; no
of disease symptoms. more than two
Crop rotation Fields should be planted sequential application;
with crops other than tomatoes,
eggplants, or other solanaceous crops
or strawberries, which are also hosts. Chlorothalonil (kavach) 2g/litre 3 5-6 day interval as a
Apply overhead irrigation during the protective application
early part of the day so that plants can
dry before sundown.
Azoxystrobin (amistar) 0.5ml/litre 0 No more than two
In areas where market constraints and
application per season,
other diseases do not limit the choice of
can be tank mixed
cultivar, cultivars demonstrating a
with protectant
moderate level of resistance (e.g.,
fungicide
Colossal, Brigadier, and Paladin) should
Trifloxystrobin+ 1g/litre 3 Used as curative
be chosen.
Tebuconazole(nativo) applicant
Note:
For mixing chemical always see the label of the product.
7
Page

Symptoms
Circular spots appear with a
light gray center and a reddish-
brown margin, growing up to 1
cm in diameter. Spots later
become tan with a dark ring and
a yellowish halo around the
ring, resulting in a frog-eye
appearance.
Under conditions of high
humidity, and using a good high
magnification hand lens, thin,
needle-like spores may be seen
in the center of the spots arising
from small black fungal tissue.
The affected centers of lesions
dry and often drop out as they
age. When numerous spots
occur on the foliage, the leaves
turn yellow and may drop or
wilt. Defoliation is often serious,
exposing fruits to sun scald.
A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES
Cercospora leaf spot
Causal organism: Cercospora capsici
Conditions for disease Cultural and Biological control Chemical control
development measures if any Chemical name Dosage(g PHI Remarks
or ml/litre)
The fungus survives in or on seed, Use pathogen-free seeds and Chlorothalonil 2g/litre 3 Can be used as a
and as tiny black fungal tissue known seedlings. Remove and destroy (kavach) protective application;
as stromata in old affected leaves in infected plants/fruits as soon as 5-7 days interval
the soil. Spores will survive in symptoms are observed to minimize
infected debris for at least one spread of disease. Mancozeb 2g/litre 7 Used as a protective
season. Foliar infection occurs by Avoid overhead irrigation or (Dithane M-45) application; 5-7 days
direct penetration of the leaf. prolonged moisture to minimize interval
The fungus spores require water for disease severity.
germination and penetration of the Staking increases air movement and
host; however, heavy dew appears to may help reduce infection in the Copper hydroxide 2g/litre 0 Used as protective
be sufficient for infection. The disease field. (kocide) application
is most severe during periods of Remove and destroy infected
warm temperatures; for example, 20 pepper tissues immediately after
25C during the day and excessive harvest. Trifloxystrobin+ 1g/litre 3 Used as curative
moisture (either from rain or Crop rotation for 2 years may help Tebuconazole applicant
overhead irrigation). Fungal growth reduce inoculum in the soil. (nativo)
is limited if the temperature is < 5C
or > 35C. Note:
The fungus is spread by Splashing For mixing chemical always see the label of the product.
water, wind-driven rain, wind, on
implements, tools, workers, and by
leaf-to-leaf contact. It is not known
whether the fungus will infect
solanaceous weeds.
8
Page
 A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES

Choanephora Blight (Wet Rot)

Causal organism: Choanephora cucurbitarum

Symptoms Conditions for disease development Cultural and Biological Chemical control
control measures if any Chemical name Dosage(g PHI Remarks
or ml/litre)
Water soaked lesions appear on the The fungus is found throughout the Remove and destroy infected Chlorothalonil(kavach) 2g/litre 3 Can be used as a
leaves and the margins and leaf tips tropics on many crops including plants/fruits as soon as protective application;
are blighted. Older lesions turn beans, peas, squash, cucumber, symptoms are observed to 5-7 days interval
necrotic and appear dried out. The eggplant and pepper. Extended minimize spread of disease. Mancozeb 2g/litre 7 Used as a protective
entire plant may wilt. Flowers and periods of rain, high humidity and Avoid overhead irrigation or (Dithane M-45) application; 5-7 days
flower buds turn dark and wilt. high temperature favor fungal prolonged moisture to minimize interval
Young fruit can be infected. sporulation and disease development. disease severity.
The fungus is spread via wind and Staking increases air movement Propineb 2g/litre 2 5-7 days interval
Whiskers of the fungus, which are splashing water, and on clothing, tools and may help reduce infection in (Antracol)
fungal strands, with dark-colored, and cultivation equipment. the field.
knobby sporangiola, can be seen with Remove and destroy infected Trifloxystrobin+ 1g/litre 3 Used as curative
a hand lens. pepper tissues immediately Tebuconazole applicant
after harvest. (nativo)
Morning is the best time to look for Myclobutanil 1g/litre 14 Used as protective and
the fungus. Symptoms may be (Systhane) curative, not more than 4
confused with Phytophthora blight application per season
(Phytophthora capsici). Note:
For mixing chemical always see the label of the product.

9
Page

Symptoms
Symptoms first appear as a slight
yellowing of foliage and wilting of
upper leaves. As wilting
progresses, leaves may turn dull-
green to brown and remain
attached to the plant. When the
stem and roots are cut diagonally,
reddish-brown streaks are visible
in the vascular tissues.
A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES
Conditions for disease
development
The fungus survives in the soil
for several years and is spread
by farm equipment, irrigation
water and infected plant
debris. Warm soil
temperatures (33 C; 92 F)
and high soil moisture
generally favour rapid disease
development.
Cultural and Biological control
measures if any
Plant on raised beds to help promote Copper oxycloride
soil water drainage away from roots. (Blitox)
Thoroughly disinfect equipment before
moving from infested to clean fields.
Application of bio control agents like
Trichoderma viridae or Trichoderma
harzianum along with FYM at the time
planting( 1 kg mixed with 200 kg of FYM Note
for one acre of land)
Fusarium wilt of pepper
Causal organism: Fusarium oxysporum f.sp capsici
Chemical control
Chemical name Dosage(g PHI Remarks
or ml/litre)
3g/litre 3 Used as drenching in the
soil; for large scale
application drenching is
not feasible.
Carbendazim 1g/litre 3 Used as drenching in the
(Bavistin) soil: for large scale
application drenching is
not feasible
1) For tank mixing of different chemicals see the label
2) Soil fumigation with effective materials is the only chemical control
available for reducing soil borne populations of the pathogen.
3) Various chemical (e.g. chloropicrin, dazomet, formaldehyde, metam
sodium) or non-chemical (e.g. steaming, solarization, bio fumigation)
methods can be used on infested soil. None are 100% effective and
they will only penetrate to a limited depth. Plants can still become
infected if the wilt pathogen is re-introduced into the treated area by
drainage / run-off water or capillary action, or by the roots growing
down beyond the treated soil.
4) Fungicide treatment against wilt diseases gives variable and often
poor results. For this reason there are few specific recommendations
10
Page

Symptoms
Soft, dark brown or black cankers
are formed on the stem, usually at
nodes or wound sites. These may
girdle the stem in later stages of
disease development. There is a
dark brown discolouration of the
internal portion of the stem that
may extend a considerable
distance. The lesions may
eventually develop cinnamon or
light orange-coloured, very small
(<1 mm diameter), flask-shaped
fruiting structures known as
perithecia, which are the fruiting
bodies of the fungus Salmon-white
cottony-like growth representing
the imperfect stage of the fungus
and known as fungus mycelium
may also be present on the surface
of stem cankers in late stages of
disease development. Stem
cankers restrict the upward flow of
water resulting in wilting and
death of the plant.
A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES
Fusarium stem and root rot
Causal organism: Fusarium solani
The perfect stage (Nectria haematococca)
Conditions for disease Cultural and Biological control Chemical control not recommended since it is mainly restricted to
development measures if any green house, so go for sanitation measures
The ascospore germination occurs Do not allow rockwool blocks to dry a. Discard slabs, bags, cubes or other media that had infected plants growing in
during prolonged periods of high out at the top because damaging them previously.
b. Do not replant into the same material unless it has been steam-sterilized.
humidity (ie. greater than 95%). levels of evaporated fertilizer salts c. Remove and discard strings that may harbour spores from affected plants.
A slow temperature increase early may accumulate around the stem d. If the crop was grown in soil, disinfect the beds.
in the morning of 1C per hour base and thus favour infection. e. Discard soilless growing media far away from the greenhouse or bury it.
ensures that fruit and stem Avoid dripping fertilizer solution at f. Avoid handling diseased plants and fruit.
temperatures reach daytime the stem base by positioning the g. Remove them from the greenhouse carefully, taking care not to allow
targets before sunrise. Also, if the dripper away from the stem base. contact of affected portions of plants with adjacent plants, and place
greenhouse has restricted Avoid excessively high fertilizer them in a plastic bag.
ventilation and poor drainage, this concentrations that contribute to h. Discard the diseased material at a location away from the
may create a "wet" climate that N. salt damage. greenhouses to ensure that this fungus inoculum or subsequent
haematococca can exploit for Avoid overlap of crop production overwintering spore inoculum is not carried back into the
ascospore germination. Perithecia since the airborne spores of Nectria greenhouses by workers, wind, on tires, and by insects such as shore
present on rockwool blocks and on haematococca could be spread from flies and fungus gnats. Additionally, remove about 1-2 plants on
fruit lesions provide further aerial the old crop to the early seeded
either side of the plant(s) exhibiting symptoms and place in garbage
inoculum which, when peppers.
bags.
accompanied by a "wet" Seedling root dip treatment of bio
i. If the material is disposed of in a cull pile then ensure that the cull
greenhouse climate, result in control agents like Trichoderma
pile is located away from the greenhouse as far as possible.
numerous fruit and stem viridae or Trichoderma harzianum
j. Cover the cull pile to prevent insects such as shore flies and fungus
infections. Other factors, such as during transplanting(10g/1litre of
over-watering of the rockwool water) gnats from carrying the fungus spores back into the greenhouses.
blocks, can stress the plants k. Alternatively, infected plant debris may be burnt or taken to a
through oxygen depletion, landfill.
resulting in a high incidence of l. Do not leave it in an open field or incorporate it into the soil in fields
11
crown lesions. where other susceptible crops may be grown
Page
 A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES

Gray leaf spot of Pepper

Causal organism: Stemphylium solani

Symptoms Conditions for disease Cultural and Biological control Chemical control
development measures if any Chemical name Dosage(g PHI Remarks
or ml/litre)
Small spots develop on pepper These fungi survive in soil and Plant high quality transplants free from Chlorothalonil 2g/litre 3 Can be used as a
leaves, petioles, stems, on plant debris from one year to gray leaf spot. Practice a three-year or (kavach) protective application;
peduncles and calyx. Although the next. In addition, volunteer longer crop rotation to non-hosts such as 5-7 days interval
mature plants can be infected, pepper and tomato and small grains. Mancozeb 2g/litre 7 Used as a protective
young seedlings are most solanaceous weeds can serve as Eliminate crop debris, volunteers, and (Dithane M-45) application; 5-7 days
interval
susceptible. Infection begins as sources of inoculum. Fungal weeds that can serve as alternate hosts.
Propineb 2g/litre 2 5-7 days interval
small red to brown spots that spores are spread from the Reduce periods of leaf wetness by avoiding (Antracol)
later expand into lesions with surface of infected tissues by overhead irrigation and dense plantings.
white to gray centers and red wind and splashing water. Orientating rows parallel to the prevailing Difenoconozole 0.5ml/litre 10 Used as curative
to brown margins. When Warm and humid or wet wind direction can promote rapid leaf (Score) fungicide
numerous lesions develop, weather generally favour drying and help reduce periods of extended
leaves turn yellow and drop. disease development. The leaf wetness. Copper hydroxide 2g/litre 3 Used as a protective
Gray leaf spot does not affect disease also can be a problem in Remove plant debris, provide adequate (kocide) application
fruit. arid climates when dew periods ventilation for seedling beds and treat with
are long. fungicides to help reduce losses from this Tebuconazole 1ml/litre 7 Used as a curative
disease. (Folicur) application

Note
For tank mixing of different chemicals see the label.

12
Page

Symptoms
This fungus typically causes
damping-off or tip dieback in
young seedlings. However, it can
infect through wounds in all
above-ground parts of mature
plants. On stems, initial infection
appears as elliptical, water soaked
lesions that later expand, and can
girdle and kill the plant. Leaf
infections usually begin at points
of injury and develop into V-
shaped lesions. Under high
humidity, stem and leaf lesions can
be covered by Sporulating gray
mycelia. Fruit infection begins as
water-soaked spots that increase
rapidly in size to form gray-brown
Sporulating lesions.
A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES
Gray mold of pepper
Causal organism: Botrytis cinerea
Conditions for disease development Cultural and Biological Chemical control
control measures if any Chemical name Dosage(g PHI Remarks
or
ml/litre)
This fungus has a wide host range. It is Prune plants to promote Iprodione+carbendazim 1g/litre 5 5-7 days interval; used as
an efficient saprophyte and can survive adequate ventilation, and apply (quintal) protective and curative
as sclerotia in soil and infected plant Fungicides to the pruning application
debris for long periods. Botrytis wounds to help reduce losses Chlorothalonil 2g/litre 3 Can be used as a
cinereais considered a weak parasite from this disease. Carefully (kavach) protective application;
and typically infects plant tissues manage irrigation and air 5-7 days interval
through wounds. Overcast, cool, humid circulation to avoid long periods
weather is required for disease of high relative humidity in
development. Under these conditions, greenhouses. Pyraclostrobin 1g/litre 0 For disease suppression
gray masses of fungal spores are (Cabrio) only
produced and are readily wind-
disseminated. Close spacing andpoor Difenoconozole 0.5ml/litre 10 Used as curative
ventilation in greenhouses can lead to (Score) fungicide
severe gray mold problems.
Copper hydroxide 2g/litre 3 Used as a protective
(kocide) application
Pyrimethanil 0.5ml/litre 7 Repeat applications at
(scala) 7-14 day intervals
Note
For tank mixing of different chemicals see the label.
13
Page
 A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES

Phytophthora blight
of Peppers
Causal organism: Phytophthora capsici

Symptoms Conditions for disease Cultural and Biological control Chemical control
development measures if any Chemical name Dosage(g PHI Remarks
or ml/litre)
Symptom development in relation to The disease is favoured by Rotate away from susceptible crops Mancozeb 2g/litre 7 Used as a protective
plant maturity. For example, seedlings warm, wet weather and is for a minimum of two years, (Dithane M-45) application; 5-7 days
may die rapidly from lesions on the polycyclic within seasons. preferably four years. Grain crops interval
lower stems while mature plants may The pathogen may survive as are most suitable (e.g., corn and Chlorothalonil 2g/litre 3 Can be used as a
develop crown rot, fruit rot and foliar overwintering spores in the small grains) but crucifers are also (kavach) protective application;
lesions. The disease is most likely to soil for many months and good options. 5-7 days interval
occur at the soil line or on the lower 12 serve as inoculum or in Avoid poorly drained soils and low
Propineb 2g/litre 2 5-7 days interval
to 18 inches of the plant where water infected plant tissues. lying areas;
(Antracol)
often pools or splashes. The most Fruits in contact with the soil Do not allow soil build-up at the
common symptoms regardless of the are most prone to infection. headlands of fields but create
Dimethomorph 1g/litre 4 5-7 days interval , not
host plant are crown rot and fruit rot. Sporangia/spores are easily drainage ditches to ensure (Acrobat) more than 3 application
On peppers, the disease causes a black dispersed by wind and rain maximum soil-surface drainage per season
lesion just above the soil line. Affected splashes to leaves and stems from furrows;
plants wilt and progressively die of healthy plants. Break up hardpans and plow-pans Metalaxyl+mancozeb 2g/litre 14 Protective and curative
(Ridomil MZ gold) application.5-7 days
Foliar lesions are less common, but can Excess soil moisture due to by subsoiling to increase soil
interval
occur, especially when conditions are excess rain or irrigation, and drainage; Azoxystrobin 0,5ml/litre 0 Used as a curative
particularly favorable. The classic soil temperature of 18C Always plant peppers and bush-type (Amistar) application.
leaf lesion caused by P. capsici is fairly 30C arising from high air cucurbits on dome-shaped ridges
circular with a tan margin and brown, temperature are needed for Avoid excessive overhead irrigation;
necrotic center. Fruit of known hosts are disease development. Enter infested fields last and clean Note
For tank mixing of different chemicals see the label.
highly susceptible to the disease, but equipment before moving to other
crown tissue susceptibility varies widely fields;
among hosts.

14
Page
 A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES

Powdery mildew of peppers

Causal organism: Leveillula taurica

Symptoms Conditions for disease Cultural and Biological Chemical control

development control measures if any Chemical name Dosage(g PHI Remarks
or ml/litre)
Pepper powdery mildew needs living The fungus survives from season to Restrict visitor access to the Wettable sulphur 3g/litre 0 Should not be used at
host plant tissue to grow and survive. season on living pepper plants or greenhouse, Follow strict flowering stage
The fungus only infects the leaves not alternative hosts. Thefungus is not greenhouse hygiene throughout
the fruit or stems of pepper plants. found on or within pepper seed. the growing season Conduct a
Check for pepper powdery mildew by The disease is favoured when large through year-end clean up and Dinocap 1ml/litre 7 Used as contact
closely inspecting the underside of day/night temperature and dispose of all crop debris off- (karathane) fungicide, 5-7 days
older leaves for the first signs of the humidity fluctuations occur, which site or by burning or burying in application interval
disease. Look for fluffy, white patches promote periods of leaf wetness. a landfill. For more information
Myclobutanil 1g/litre 14 Used as curative
of powdery mildew on the underside Development of L. taurica is consult the fact sheet
(Systhane) application, should not
of leaves. With time, these patches favoured by warm (25C) and dry Greenhouse Vegetable Crop be used at flowering
may turn brown rather than (less than 80% RH) days followed Clean-Up. stage
remaining white. The upper surface by humid (greater than 85% RH) Control outdoor weeds Fluzilazole 2ml/10litre 15 For preventive
of the leaf may appear normal or have nights. Temperatures of 25C are surrounding the greenhouse (nustar) application apply once in
diffuse, yellow patches which associated with a higher rate of Keep ornamentals and imported 15 days
correspond to the mildew colonies on disease development than tropical plants out of the
the lower surface. Early powdery temperatures of 1820C. Young greenhouse and immediate area
mildew infections can be seen more plants are less susceptible than Improve greenhouse climate to Carbendazim 1g/litre 3 Used as preventive and
(Bavistin) curative application,
easily by holding the leaf up to the older plants. reduce relative humidity and
apply at 5 days interval
light and looking for developing Other factors such as close plant increase air circulation
mildew colonies. Severely infected spacing and luxuriant plant growth Note
leaves wither and drop off causing arising from high nitrogen levels are For tank mixing of different chemicals see the label.
plants to die. likely to foster greater disease
development.

15
Page

Symptoms
This fungus infects emerging
seedlings below or at the soil level
and causes damping-off.
Under favorable environmental
conditions, Sclerotium rolfsii is
able to infect any part of the plant.
The first symptoms of disease in
mature plants are dark-brown
lesions on the stem at or just
beneath the soil line. First foliar
symptoms are progressive
yellowing and wilting. Later, the
fungus produces fan-like webs of
whitish mycelium around the
rotted stem. Small brown sclerotia
form within the mycelial mass. As
the disease progresses, infected
plants wilt and die.
A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES
Southern blight of Pepper
Causal organism: Sclerotium rolfsii
Conditions for disease development Cultural and Biological Chemical control
control measures if any Chemical name Dosage(g PHI Remarks
or ml/litre)
Sclerotium rolfsii has a wide host Rotate with grasses and deep- Carbendazim 2g/litre 3 Used as drenching
range. The fungus overwinters as plow to bury sclerotia tohelp (Bavistin)
mycelium or sclerotia in and on reduce soil inoculum level.
infected plant debris. Sclerotia can Grow plants in raised beds to Copper hydroxide 2g/litre 0 Used as drenching
survive in soil for many years. Rainfall promote soil drainage. In small- (kocide)
or irrigation following a period of scale plantings, rogue infected
Fluzilazole 2ml/10litre 15 For preventive
drought generally stimulates plants when symptoms are first (nustar) application apply once in
germination of sclerotia and initiates visible to reduce disease spread. 15 days
the infection process. High humidity Soil fungicides and biological
and warm temperatures generally control using Trichoderma spp. Tebuconazole 1ml/litre 5 For preventive
(Folicur) application and curative
favour rapid fungal growth and disease and Gliocladium virensoffer
development. A soil pH between 3 and some protection.
5 is best for fungal growth. At a soil pH Note
of 7 or above, germination of sclerotia For tank mixing of different chemicals see the label.
is inhibited. Sclerotia spread short and
long distances in infected transplants,
plant debris, soil, surface water, and on
farm equipment and poor quality seed.
16
Page
 A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES

Verticillium wilt of Pepper

Causal organism: Verticillium dhaliae

Symptoms Conditions for disease Cultural and Biological Chemical control

Verticillium dahliae can infect pepper
plants at any growth stage. Symptoms
include yellowing and drooping of
leaves on a few branches or on the
entire plant. The edges of the leaves
roll inward on infected plants, and
foliar wilting ensues. The foliage of
severely infected plants turns brown
and dry. Growth of pepper plants
inoculated with aggressive strains of V.
dahliae in greenhouse or of pepper
plants infected early in the season
under field conditions is severely
stunted with small leaves that turn
yellow-green. Subsequently, the dried
leaves and shriveled fruits remain
attached to plants that die. Brown
discoloration of the vascular tissue is
visible when the roots and lower stem
of a wilted plant are cut longitudinally.
development
Verticillium wilt, caused by
Verticillium dahliae, is a soil borne
fungus that colonizes the vascular
tissues of plants. Verticillium
dahliae has a broad host range,
causing vascular discoloration and
wilt of many economically
important crops. Microsclerotia
produced by V. dahliae may
survive under field conditions for
up to 14 years in the absence of a
host. The microsclerotia germinate
in the vicinity of host roots and
cause infection. Verticillium wilt is
favoured by cool air and soil
temperatures. Peppers are
resistant to isolates of V. dahliae
from many hosts, and only certain
strains of V. dahliae, such as those
from eggplant and pepper, are
pathogenic on peppers.
control measures if any
Because of the longevity of
microsclerotia and the broad
host range of V. dahliae, crop
rotation is usually not a feasible
option for control of
Verticillium wilt in many crops.
However, rotations with
broccoli, corn, wheat, barley,
sorghum or safflower for a
period of at least 2 years (the
longer the rotation, the better)
can reduce inoculum and
subsequent plant infection.
These crops are not hosts for
the Verticillium pathogen, and
populations of the pathogen will
decline in fields where host
plants are not present. In severe
cases, do not replant peppers in
the field for a minimum of 3
years.
Chemical name Dosage(g PHI Remarks
or ml/litre)
Carbendazim(bavistin) 2g/litre 3 Used as drenching
Copper 2g/litre 0 Used as drenching
hydroxide(kocide)
Note
1) For tank mixing of different chemicals see the label
2) Soil fumigation with effective materials is the only chemical control
available for reducing soilborne populations of the pathogen.
3) Various chemical (e.g. chloropicrin,dazomet, formaldehyde,
metamsodium)or non-chemical (e.g.steaming, solarization,
biofumigation)methods can be used on infested soil.None are 100%
effective and theywill only penetrate to a limited depth.Plants can still
become infected if thewilt pathogen is re-introduced into the treated
area by drainage / run-offwater or capillary action, or by theroots
growing down beyond thetreated soil.
4) Fungicide treatment against wiltdiseases gives variable and often
poorresults. For this reason there are fewspecific recommendations

17
Page

Symptoms
The first symptoms of white mold
are dark-green, water-soaked
lesions that develop on foliage,
stems and fruit. Occasionally, the
host may exhibit dry lesions on the
stalk, stem or branches with a well-
defined border between healthy and
diseased tissues. Stem infections
frequently girdle the stem at the soil
line, causing plants to wilt and die.
Petiole or bud infections proceed
downward in the plant rapidly. Fruit
infected directly from the soil
surface or through the peduncle rot
quickly and turn into a watery mass.
In advanced stages, white, cottony
mycelium blankets affected tissue,
and sclerotia form on the surface.
Sclerotia also may form within the
stem pith and fruit cavities,
becoming black and hard as they
mature.
A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES
Conditions for disease
development
Plant surfaces must remain
continuously wet for 48- 72 hours for
infection to occur. Disease develops
most rapidly at 20- 25C (68- 77F),
and not at all above 30C (86F).
This fungus has a wide host range and
survives from one season to the next
as sclerotia in soil and in plant debris.
White mold is most common in
temperate regions but is also known
to occur in hot, dry areas. Dew, fog
and frequent rain generally favour
disease development. The most
important means of longdistance
spread are airborne ascospores that
erupt from sclerotia. Moving
contaminated soil and fertilizing with
manure from animals fed infected
plant debris are two common ways of
short-distance spread of sclerotia or
mycelium. Irrigation water may also
spread thefungus from field to field.
White mold of Peppers
Causal organism: Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
Cultural and Biological Chemical control
control measures if any Chemical name Dosage(g PHI Remarks
or ml/litre)
Plant in well-drained soil, use Carbendazim(Bavistin) 2g/litre 3 Used as drenching
wide row spacing and water
deeply, early in the day. Remove
all plant debris from previous Copper 2g/litre 0 Used as drenching
crops. Manure and plant hydroxide(kocide)
mulches suspected to come
from infected locations should
not be used unless sterilized. Flusilazole(nustar) 2ml/10litre 15 For preventive
Establish a crop rotation with application apply once in
non-host crops such as corn, 15 days
small grains and grasses. Tebuconazole (Folicur) 1ml/litre 5 For preventive
Soil fumigation can be effective application and curative
at helping to reduce soilborne
inoculum.
Note
For tank mixing of different chemicals see the label
18
Page
 A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES

Root knot of Pepper

Causal organism: Meloidogyne spp

Symptoms Conditions for disease Cultural and Biological control Chemical control
development measures if any Chemical name Dosage(g PHI Remarks
or
ml/litre)
Nematode infestations damage the plant roots, The host range of these In fields infested with root knot Methyl bromide As a 15 Preplant, tarped, or
and therefore symptoms reflect poorly three nematode species is nematodes, crop rotation may not be fumigant mulched for 24-48
functioning root systems. Aboveground very wide and includes feasible because of their extensive host hours. Application 10=14
symptoms of severe root knot and stubby root many agricultural crops range; care is needed in the selection of days before planting.
nematode infestations include patches of and weeds. rotation crops because some may be Oxamyl 2ml/litre 14 Foliar applications are not
(vydate) effective for moderate and
chlorotic, stunted, necrotic, or wilted plants. Disease is most severe in good alternate hosts. New resistant
high populations of
Nematode-infested plants are more susceptible warm areas with long varieties of peppers may prove useful. nematodes.
to moisture or temperature stress and exhibit growing seasons. In Soil solarization may help to lower the Carbofuron 4kg/hac 30 Soil application,
stress symptoms earlier than other plants. general, lighter, sandy nematodes in the top layers of the soil (Furadan) application into soil before
Furthermore, root systems that have been soils favour nematode and avoid an early infestation of the planting.
damaged by nematodes are often more infection and result in plants. Roots are likely to become
susceptible to infection by soil-inhabiting fungi more severe damage to infested as the season progresses by Fenamiphos 30L/hac or 7 days Soil application Apply
such as Fusarium and Verticillium species. roots. nematodes that survived in the deeper (nemacure) 1L/100 prior to anytime from 7 days
Feeding by root knot nematodes results in soil layers. litre of planting before up to the time of
characteristic galls on roots. Severely galled Application of 2 kg of MULTIPLEX water planting.
roots may appear malformed and the root Niyantran (Poaecilomyces) in 100 kg Note
For tank mixing of different chemicals see the label
system shortened and thickened. Roots of FYM and broadcast to 1 acre uniformly.
plants infested with stubby root nematode are Application of 250-400 kg of neem
likely to have numerous, short and stubby cake/hac
lateral roots.

19
Page

Symptoms
The foliage has a distinct bright yellow to
white mosaic that sometimes causes large
areas of interveinal leaf tissue to be
bleached in appearance. Chlorotic line
patterns and veinal necrosis also may
occur. Generally, the leaves are not
distorted in shape. If infected when
young, the plants may be stunted and
their fruit will be misshapen.
A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES
Conditions for disease development
Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) is found most commonly
in pepper crops that have been planted near alfalfa,
clover or other legumes. It is generally considered to
be a minor threat to pepper production.
Transmission by seed is the primary means of
establishment of the virus while aphid transmission
is more important for the subsequent spread in field
plantings. AMV is transmitted by many species of
aphids including the green peach aphid,
Myzuspersicae. The aphid can acquire the virus by
feeding on an infected plant for less than a minute
and can transmit it as quickly, but the aphid actually
retains the virus for only a short period of time. The
virus is also readily transmitted mechanically and by
grafting.
Alfa Alfa mosaic of Peppers
Causal organism:Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV)
Transmission: Aphids
Control measures
Pepper varieties resistant to AMV are not available. Various control measures
are required because AMV is transmitted by seed, aphids, and mechanically.
Control measures must take into account the diseases wide host range (alfalfa,
pepper, tomato, tobacco, potato, clover, many cucurbits and beans, and several
other crops and weeds) and numerous aphid vectors.
Use virus-free pepper seed. Check transplants for any symptom development
and discard those with symptoms. Aphid control may be difficult because the
virus is transmitted very rapidly by these insects. Use fast acting insecticide
sprays since aphids may move to other nearby unsprayed plants when
disturbed.
Disinfect tools, stakes, and equipment before moving from diseased areas to
healthy areas. Work in diseased areas last, after working in unaffected parts of
a field. Other less effective measures include: planting barrier crops that are not
susceptible to AMV such as corn, applying sticky traps, or covering the ground
with an aphid deterrent material Another control strategy is to grow trap crops
nearby that attract aphids and then spray these plants with a contact
insecticide to destroy the aphid populations. Also, spray the pepper crop with
mineral oil to delay virus spread in the field by interfering with aphid
transmission of the virus.
20
Page
 A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES

Beet curly top of peppers

Causal agent:Beet curly top virus (BCTV)
Transmission: The beet leafhopper (Circulifertenellus)
Symptoms Conditions for disease development control measures

Relatively common virus disease of tomatoes, peppers and
beans that mimics symptoms of moisture stress. Its called Curly
Top, and as the name implies, one of the symptoms is
curling leaves.When seedlings are infected, leaves turn yellow,
twist and curl upward, and thicken to become stiff and crisp.
Petioles may curl downward. Fruit set is reduced. Fruit appear
dull and wrinkled, and tend to ripen prematurely. This virus is
not mechanically transmitted.
This virus has a wide host range affecting more than 300
species. Common hosts are tomatoes, beets, peppers, squash,
beans, cucurbits, spinach, potatoes, cabbage and alfalfa. The
beet leafhopper transmits BCTV in a persistent manner.
Warm temperatures and dense leafhopper populations are
conducive to the spread of BCTV. Viruliferous leafhoppers
migrate seasonally and can be moved long distances by wind.
Transplant virus-free seedlings. Rogue infected
plants to avoid transmission in the field. Control
weeds near pepper fields to reduce vector and
virus reservoirs. Transplant early or late to
escape leafhopper infestations, increase plant
density to compensate for losses due to BCTV.
Insecticides are not effective to control beet curly
top.

The best way to determine the difference between wilting from

lack of water and wilting from curly top virus is to simply
irrigate. Soak the soil around the distressed plant in the early
evening. Check the plant the following morning. If the plant has
not revived overnight, its likely the plant has curly top.

21
Page
 A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES
Symptoms
Symptoms consist of upward and downward curling of
leaves. Leaf margins develop pale green to yellow color,
which extends into the interveinal areas. The nodes and
internodes are significantly reduced in size. The infected
plants assume bushy appearance with severe stunted growth
look pale and produce more lateral branches giving a bushy
appearance. The fruits from infected plants are small and
deformed. It is a single stranded DNA virus
Conditions for disease development
Field spread occurs due to Whitefly insect vector Cultural
(Bemisia tabaci). This disease increase with
increase in temperature coupled with relative
humidity. The virus mainly perpetuates on weed
hosts. Warm and dry weather favors disease
spread. In southern India the disease epidemics
will be more during March to June, where as in Chemical control
Northern Indian conditions epidemics will occur
from June to October.
Chili leaf curl
Causal agent: Tobacco leaf curl virus
Transmission: White flies
control measures
1. Growing of nursery under Nylon net cover (50 mesh).
2. Eradication of early infected plants and weed hosts from
the field.
3. Two rows of border cropping with Maize, Jowar, or Bajra
give a reduction in the disease spread.
1. Spray seedlings with Acephate (0.15%)
or Monocrotophos (0.1%) prior to transplanting.
2. Spray insecticides like Monocrotophos (0.15%), Acephate
(0.15%), at fortnightly intervals after transplanting till
flowering stage.
3. Chemical spray followed by neem seed kernel extract
(2%) is also effective in rotation with insecticides.
22
Page

Symptoms
Symptoms vary widely. One of the most common
expressions is a severely stunted, non-productive plant
that has dull light green foliage with a leathery
appearance but not distinctive foliar markings. In some
cases the leaves become narrow and no longer expand,
while in other cases, small necrotic specks or ring spots
with oak leaf patterns develop.
Sometimes a necrotic line develops across the leaf.
Affected leaves may drop prematurely. Older plants that
are infected may show foliar mottling or no symptoms on
foliage or fruit. Fruit may be wrinkled, bumpy, and pale to
yellowish green in colour, sometimes with sunken lesions.
On some varieties lines or ring spots may develop.
A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES
Conditions for disease development
Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is not
transmitted through pepper seed. CMV can be
mechanically transmitted but because it is not
as stable as TMV, workers handling infected
pepper plants do not as readily transmit it.
More than 80 species of aphids including the
green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, are vector
of CMV; weeds are hosts for the virus as well as
for the aphid vectors. The large number of
aphid vector species and natural host
reservoirs accounts for the high incidence of
CMV in field plants.
Cucumber mosaic on
peppers
Causal agent: cucumber mosaic virus
Transmission: Aphids
control measures
Current control measures for CMV are mainly preventive due to the
wide host range of the virus and the numerous aphid vectors.
Grow seedlings in a structure or seedbed protected with netting of mesh
size of 32 or greater to prevent aphids from entering.
Disinfect tools, stakes, and equipment before moving from diseased areas
to healthy areas. Hands and tools may be washed with soap or milk.
Insecticide sprays that are not fast-acting may not be that effective
because the aphids move to other nearby unsprayed plants when
disturbed.
Other less effective measures include: planting barrier crops that are not
susceptible to CMV such as corn, applying sticky traps, or covering the
ground with an aphid deterrent material Another control strategy is to
grow trap crops nearby that attract aphids and then spray these plants
with a contact insecticide to destroy the aphid populations.
23
Page

Symptoms
Plants can be infected at any growth stage by virus
transmitting aphids.
Symptoms of potato virus Y (PVY) include plant
stunting, systemic vein-clearing, leaf mosaic or
mottling, and dark green vein-banding of the leaves.
Necrosis in the veins and petioles often develops. This
may be followed by stem necrosis and defoliation,
death of the top bud and plant death. Affected fruit may
be smaller, deformed, and with a mosaic pattern.
PVY symptoms may be masked by symptoms of other
viruses.
A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES
Conditions for disease development
Many species of aphid, including the green
peach aphid, Myzus persicae, transmit the
virus at different degrees of efficiency. The
different aphid species can acquire the virus
by feeding on an infected plant for less than a
minute and can transmit it as quickly also.
The aphids will retain the virus for periods of
1 day or longer if the aphids do not feed after
acquiring the virus.
PVY infection in tomato and tobacco is an
important source of the virus for pepper.
Weeds may also act as a reservoir for the
virus in tropical regions.
PVY on Peppers
Causal agent: Potato virus Y
Transmission: Aphids
Control measures
Spray weeds bordering the field with an insecticide prior to seeding or
planting the field. This will prevent the aphids from moving to other plants
and infecting them when subsequent weed control is started. Destroy all
annual weeds in the field, including those in ditches, hedge or fencerows,
and other locations.
Where feasible, infected plants should be pulled up and destroyed, but only
after spraying them thoroughly with an insecticide to kill any insects they
may be harbouring.
Avoid planting peppers close to established tomato, tobacco, and pepper
fields since these fields may harbour aphids. Plant earlier to avoid high
aphid populations that occur later in the season. Reflective mulches may be
used to repel aphids, thereby reducing the rate of spread of aphid-borne
viruses.
The mineral oil sprays will reduce the frequency of transmission of the
virus by the vector and thereby delay development of the disease in the
pepper crop.
24
Page

Symptoms
All stages of plant growth are affected. The severity
of symptoms depends on time of infection, the
variety grown and the virus strain present. Affected
pepper plants show foliar mottling or mosaic
patterns, leaf distortion, and stunting. Vein-clearing
and vein-banding symptoms also occur.
Plants infected early have small, misshapen fruit
and can be severely stunted. Fruits from such
plants have severe mosaic symptoms. Tabasco
pepper infected with tobacco etch virus (TEV)
show root necrosis, wilting and death. Symptoms
may be confused with other viruses such as potato
virus Y (PVY) or pepper mottle virus (PMV).
A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES
Conditions for disease development
TEV is transmitted by the green peach aphid,
Myzus persicae, and by several other aphid
species in a non persistent manner similar to
PVY. The virus is also readily transmitted
mechanically but transmission by aphids is
the principal method. It is not found in seeds.
Tobacco etch on Peppers
Causal agent: Tobacco etch virus (TEV)
Transmission: Aphids
control measures
Use a net house or screen house with 32-mesh or finer to keep out aphids and to
grow seedlings for transplant use.
Use virus-free transplants. Minimize plant handling during the growing season to
reduce the amount of virus spread mechanically.
Remove nearby volunteer plants and solanaceous weeds from production fields,
nearby ditch banks, hedges, fence-rows or other locations. Plant earlier to avoid
high aphid populations that occur later in the season. Mulches to reduce aphid visits
to plants and thus delay virus spread. This results in reduced virus incidence and
increased yields. Monitor aphid populations early in the season and apply fast-
acting insecticide treatments when needed.
The mineral oil sprays will reduce the frequency of transmission of the virus by the
vector and thereby delay development of the disease in the pepper crop
25
Page
 A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES

TMV on Peppers
Causal agent: Tobacco mosaic virus
Transmission: Mechanical

Symptoms Conditions for disease development control measures

Symptoms of infection by TMV and ToMV in pepper and
eggplant can vary greatly with the strain of virus, temperature,
light intensity, day length, age of the plant when infected and
cultivar. Foliar symptoms include chlorotic mosaic, distortion,
and at times, systemic necrosis and defoliation. Plants infected
as seedlings can be stunted and are generally chlorotic. Infected
plants produce disfigured fruit that are usually small with
distinct chlorotic and/or necrotic areas. Foliar symptoms of
TMV in pepper are also variable but are generally mild. Plants
infected as seedlings remain stunted. Leaves develop a subtle
mosaic, can be crinkled, and remain small. Symptoms may first
appear on fruit. Fruit can be mottled and necrotic, are usually
small and distorted and have a rough or wrinkled appearance.
TMV and ToMV have very wide host ranges and infect
over 200 plant species, including varieties of pepper,
tomato, eggplant and tobacco. TMV can infect all species
of pepper, but not tomato, tobacco or eggplant. Infected
transplants, seed and debris are common sources of
inoculum. These viruses can be found on and under the
seed coat and in the endosperm. Tobamo viruses are
very stable and extensive spread can occur through
handling, tools, trays, pots, stakes, twine and clothing, as
well as pollination, pruning and other cultural practices.
Tobamo viruses can remain viable for several years in
plant debris but lose their ability to infect as debris
decomposes.
Enforce strict sanitation practices during production and
harvest to minimize infection and prevent spread.
Restrict access to the crop, wash hands and equipment
with a soap solution between plants or rows of plants and
before entering a greenhouse.
There are reports of successful prevention of Tobamo
virus spread by coating hands, plants and equipment with
a solution of powdered non-fat milk.
Rogue symptomatic and adjacent plants and rotate to non-
solanaceous crops to manage disease. Use seed tested and
treated for Tobamo viruses. Many hot pepper varieties
contain hypersensitive resistance to TMV and ToMV. Use
resistant varieties in greenhouse production where
Tobamo viruses are a problem. Some strains of TMV may
overcome the commercial resistance.

26
Page

Symptoms
Plants infected while they are young
display severe stunting, yellowing or
chlorotic flecking of the whole plant,
and very little yield.
Leaves infected later may show
chlorotic line patterns or mosaic
with necrotic spots. Necrotic streaks
appear on stems extending to the
terminal shoots.
Fruit of infected plants may show
necrotic spots and streaks, mosaic,
and ring patterns. On ripe fruit,
yellow spots with concentric rings
or necrotic streaks may be present.
A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES
Tomato spotted wilt on Peppers
Causal agent: Tomato spotted wilt virus
Transmission: Thrips
Conditions for disease development
Thrips are the primary means of transmitting Tomato
Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV). Thrips are small, they
multiply quickly, feed on a wide range of plants, and are
constantly being blown into fields. Thrips feed on the
juices of leaves, stems, fruits and flower parts.
Feeding damage causes new growth to become
misshapen and deformed. The wingless immature thrips
acquire the virus and the more mobile adults later
transmit the virus among plants.
The life cycle of thrips varies from 7 to 14 days at
fluctuating temperatures between 2037C.
Consequently, there are multiple generations during the
growing season. TSWV may persist from year to year in
infected plants from which thrips can spread the disease
to nearby crops.
control measures
The presence of thrips in pepper fields can be monitored using yellow sticky cards. If the
disease appears in a crop, infected plants should be removed and destroyed immediately
either by burning or burying them.
Maintain seedbeds away from cropped areas and from other susceptible plants.
Remove volunteer plants and weeds from the production field and surrounding areas by
maintaining a 10-m plant-free border
Avoid sequential planting because thrips can continue to emerge from the soil for 23
weeks after crop residues are ploughed and roto-tilled. Keep infected field areas fallow for
3-4 weeks to allow thrips to emerge from crop debris and disperse from the field.
During the first stage of plant production, use a net house structure or seedbed covered
with a netting of 40-mesh or higher to exclude thrips from seedlings prior to
transplanting. Use virus free transplants.
Several insecticide applications should be made at 5-day intervals to significantly reduce
an infestation.
27
Page

Symptoms
Blossom-end rot begins as a light-coloured area on the
blossom end of the fruit. The affected area enlarges
and darkens, sometimes involving up to half the fruit
surface.
On peppers, the rot is tan and may be mistaken for
sun scald. Sun scald, however, results in a bleached,
white area on the fruit. On bell pepper, the rot usually
occurs on the tip of the lobes. On pimento pepper, the
side of the pod near the tip is affected. Secondary fungi
may cause the tan area to turn dark.
A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES
Blossom end rot of Pepper
Causal agent: Calcium deficiency
Conditions for disease development
Blossom-end rot is caused by a calcium deficiency in the
developing fruit. This problem results from low levels of calcium in
the soil or from a lack of soil moisture. Uptake of calcium from the
soil depends on adequate moisture moving into the roots. Any
condition that reduces roots ability to absorb water, and hence,
take up calcium, can cause blossom-end rot. Heavy fertilization,
resulting in an accumulation of ammonium, potassium, sodium or
magnesium salts in the root zone, often increases the incidence of
blossom-end rot by reducing calcium uptake. Also, excessive
vegetative growth demands calcium, and may divert it away for the
fruit.
control measures
Applying lime or gypsum can provide calcium. Lime
corrects both low pH and low calcium levels, while
gypsum only affects calcium level.
Calcium chloride sprays applied to the foliage may help
prevent blossom-end rot on developing fruit. Calcium
chloride is applied at four pounds per 100 gallons/acre
four times on a weekly schedule, beginning when
symptoms first appear
Avoid excessive rates of ammonical nitrogen fertilizer.
Damage to the roots by deep cultivation should also be
avoided, especially after fruit set and in dry weather.
28
Page
 A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES
Symptoms
Affected areas are straw-colored or white, soft, sunken, and
wrinkled. These dead areas form only on the side exposed to the
sun, in contrast to blossom end rot where the symptoms will
appear on unexposed areas as well.
The dead areas eventually become papery in texture, and may
become dark-colored if infection by secondary fungi occurs. Fruit
affected by sunscald is unmarketable
Conditions for disease development
This occurs on fruit suddenly exposed to intense
sunlight at high temperatures and high humidities.
Sudden exposure may be due to loss of foliage cover,
defoliation, or prolonged wilting. Also, breakage of
branches due to rough handling during harvest or
from heavy rains may expose fruit to sunscald.
Sunscald of Pepper
Causal agent: Environmental
Cultural and Biological control measures if any
No resistant cultivars are available. Provide sufficient
nitrogen for healthy plant growth. Keep foliage
healthy by controlling diseases and insect pests. Also,
avoid drought stress. If feasible, provide support for
pepper plants by use of stakes or use of string
running along the rows, or wire running horizontally
along the beds. Growing under shade net.
29
Page
 A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES

References
1. Vegetable diseases fact sheet, Edited by Tom Kalb. Photos by L.L. Black and E.L.Shannon. Published by AVRDC.
2. Vegetables 2014 final report. Plant Disease Diagnostic Center LSU/LSU AgCenter Department of Plant Pathology & Crop Physiology
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803.
3. Midwest Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers Illinois University of Illinois Extension Indiana.
4. K.Pernezny, P.D. Roberts, J.F. Murphy and N.P. Goldberg(eds.), Compendium of pepper diseases. American Phytopathological Society
Press, St. Paul, MN.

30
Page
 A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF PEPPER DISEASES

"For better or for worse, plant pathology

had its genesis in fields and granaries
more than in halls of ivy. Society needed
agriculture and agriculture need plant
pathology."
"Plant pathology has helped reveal
profound and useful truths. It was among
the pioneers in revealing the vast and
variable world of microorganisms and in
identifying mans friends and foes
amongst them. It has shown how to
combat many of the bad ones and how to
utilize some of the good ones."
E. C. Stakman. 1959

31
Page