Causal Agent: 

Oomycete (Phytophtora spp.)

Characteristic Symptoms:
 
All plant parts can be affected but fruit rot is more common.
 
Fruit rot  begins as a round, dark brown area on any part of the fruit at any stage of maturity.
   
The initial lesion is surrounded by a rapidly expanding light tan region.
   
White to gray fungal-like growth may appear during wet, humid periods, starting on the oldest part of the fruit lesion.
   
Conditions for Disease Development:
 
Rainfall, wet soils and poor drainage favor disease development.
   
Wind-blown rain through the air and water movement in soil may spread the disease from one plant to another.
   
The disease can also be spread via farm equipment and boots.
   
Phytophthora spp. is a soil-borne pathogen that can survive for years in the soil.
   
Management and Control:
 
Choose fields which are well-drained and plant on raised beds.
   
Remove infected fruits as soon as symptoms are observed.
   
Apply copper-based fungicides or fosetyl aluminum, metalaxyl or dimethomorph when necessary.
   
Crop rotation with rice and corn for years may help reduce inoculum in the soil.
   
References:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vh045
http://www.seminis-us.com/resources/disease-guides/pepper-eggplant/

 

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