Sweet Pepper Production, Disease Control

Disease Control
Sweet Pepper Production

	Pepper crops suffer from many diseases. This tutorial will briefly discuss some of the most significant pathogens. [close-ups of these pathogens and their damage symptoms]
	Bacterial spot is a problem, especially during the rainy season. Small spots develop on leaves. Later, the leaves can turn yellow and drop. Corky lesions develop on fruits. This disease is controlled by using pathogen-free seed, rotating crops, and spraying with copper fungicide mixes. Resistant varieties are becoming available.
	Bacterial soft rot is a serious disease on fruit. Infected fruits will collapse and hang like water-filled bags. Management strategies include rotating crops, using raised beds to enhance drainage, mulching to reduce soil water splash, and harvesting fruits carefully to avoid wounding.
	Many viruses attack peppers. Some of the most common are Tobacco Mosaic, Cucumber Mosaic, Chili Veinal Mottle, and Pepper Mild Mottle. Symptoms can be mosaic or mottling patterns on leaves, distortion of foliage and fruit, and stunting of plants. Many viruses can be prevented through the use of resistant varieties. Another strategy is to reduce their insect vectors. This is done by removing weed hosts, spraying with insecticides, and using mesh netting as barriers.
	Cercospora Leaf Spot causes "frog-eyes" to appear on foliage. This fungus is found during rainy weather and when plants are spaced close together. Fungicides can be used to control this disease.