Fungal Diseases Affecting Hot Peppers Production in Penal Rock Road, Trinidad

Collar Rot

Name of crop: Hot Pepper 

Scientific Name: Capsicum chinense 

Name of Disease: Collar Rot

Pathogen: Phytophthora capsici 

Photo showing Collar Rot on Hot Pepper

Implications of Disease: Collar Rot is caused by the fungal pathogen, Phytophthora which affects the roots and  vascular region of the plant thereby preventing the uptake of water and nutrient hence  affecting plant growth and productivity.

Field Symptoms: Discolouration at the collar region. Advanced developments causes dark lesions and disintegration of stems on the basal part  of the plant.

Photo showing discolouration development.

Photo showing discolouration development and dark lesions

Photo showing discolouration of collar region

Disintegration of the stem

Management Practices for Collar Rot: 

• Implement proper drainage systems within the field for water since moist condition promote fungal growth. 
• Use of fungicides by spraying on the leaves on basal part of plant.  

Anthracnose

Name of crop: Hot Pepper 

Scientific Name: Capsicum chinense 

Name of Disease: Anthracnose 

Pathogen: Colletotrichum  

Anthracnose affecting hot pepper fruit

Implications of Disease: Colletotrichum affects mostly the fruits of plants. 

Field Symptoms: Small black circular spots were seen on fruit. Brownish spots with a white mycelium growth were present on the fruit which later developed into dark sunken lesions.

Small dark spots of hot pepper fruit

    

Brown spot on hot pepper with a white mycelium growth



Dark brown circular sunken lesion on hot pepper

 

Dark sunken lesions on hot pepper

  

Management Practices for Anthracnose: 

• Improve drainage to prevent fungal growth.
• Use of fungicidal sprays.
• Prevent the splashing of water from the ground to the fruit by using micro-irrigation systems.
• Remove infected fruits to prevent the spread to other fruits and plants.
• Use of pathogen free seeds and seedling.