Pepper Diseases


Powdery Mildew
Leveillula taurica (asexual stage Oidiopsis sicula)

Tropical areas, both dry and humid

Damage Symptoms

Yellow blotches or spots appear on the upper leaf surface, sometimes becoming necrotic. When lesions are numerous they may coalesce resulting in a general chlorosis of the leaves. On the lower leaf surface, the lesions develop a necrotic flecking and usually are covered with a white to gray powdery growth. The disease progresses from the older to younger leaves. The shedding of the foliage is a prominent symptom, especially at low humidity. Severe defoliation results in a reduction in size and number of fruit.

Conditions for Development

The disease occurs on pepper in both warm climates (both dry and humid), but rarely in cool climates. The pathogen is not host-specific in that isolates from eggplant, pepper, and tomato cross-infect hosts.

Control

Fungicides may be needed to manage the disease during periods of heavy disease pressure. Cultivars differ in susceptibility to the disease.