Causal Agent:
Fungus (Cercospora capsici)
| Characteristic Symptoms: | |
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Leaves and fruits can be affected particularly in hot humid conditions. |
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Leaf spots begin as small, circular, brown lesions with “frog-eye” appearance. |
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Sometimes, spots are surrounded by a distinct yellow halo. |
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Under warm and wet conditions, the lesions coalesce and the leaves may appear blighted. |
| Conditions for Disease Development: | |
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The pathogen is most active under hot conditions (21°C night temp and 30-35°C day temp).
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Spores are produced within 10 days and are disseminated by wind, rain, irrigation or mechanical means (tools, implements, workers, leaf to leaf contact).
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The disease is common in heavy soils and in low-lying areas that can retain soil moisture for long periods. |
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The fungus is well known to carry over from one season to another in association with crop debris.
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The fungus survives in or on seed.
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The disease is favoured by warm and wet conditions.
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| Management and Control: | |
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Use pathogen-free seeds and seedlings. |
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Remove and destroy infected plants/fruits as soon as symptoms are observed to minimize spread of disease.
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Avoid overhead irrigation or prolonged moisture to minimize disease severity. |
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Staking increases air movement and may help reduce infection in the field.
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Remove and destroy infected pepper tissues immediately after harvest.
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Crop rotation for 2 years may help reduce inoculum in the soil.
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Spray program of protectant fungicides (chlorothalonil; copper-based, mancozeb, maneb) can help reduce disease incidence and severity.
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chlorothalonil (e.g. Daconil®, Agronil®, Yoda®, Rover®, Yoda 500Ⓡ), copper-based fungicides (e.g. Cupravit®, Super BlueⓇ, Vitigran blueⓇ, FunguranⓇ, KocideⓇ, Hydroxide superⓇ), mancozeb (e.g. Attain M-80Ⓡ, Achem Mancozeb 80 WPⓇ, Micron 80 WOⓇ, VanzebⓇ). |
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