Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Pepper Anthracnose
In recent years, pepper anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum spp. has become a significant problem on some farms in southern New Jersey.
Unlike in tomato, where symptoms are only present in mature (red) fruit, pepper anthracnose can infect pepper fruit at any growth stage. Currently, there are no commercially-available bell or non-bell peppers with known resistance to anthracnose. [Read more…]
Pepper Anthracnose
In recent years, pepper anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum spp. has become a significant problem on some farms in southern New Jersey.
Unlike in tomato, where symptoms are only present in mature (red) fruit, pepper anthracnose can infect pepper fruit at any growth stage. [Read more…]
Pepper Anthracnose
In recent years, pepper anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum spp. has become a significant problem on some farms in southern New Jersey.
Unlike in tomato, where symptoms are only present in mature (red) fruit, pepper anthracnose can infect pepper fruit at any growth stage. [Read more…]
Heavy rain and wind can cause pepper anthracnose to flare up quickly!
Growers with peppers in fields with a history of pepper anthracnose should scout on a daily basis and initiate a fungicide program as soon as small fruit begin to develop. Pepper anthracnose can be very difficult to control once established. All bell and non-bell peppers are susceptible. Strip picking and removing all fruit from ‘hot spots’ when they first appear may help suppress spread of the pathogen.
Preventative fungicide applications should begin at flowering or fruit set. Use a heavy volume of water and make sure coverage is extremely good. Apply high rates of chlorothalonil or Manzate weekly and tank mix and/or rotate weekly with one of the following FRAC group 11 fungicides: Priaxor (fluxapyroxad + pyraclostrobin, 11), Quadris (azoxystrobin, 11), or Cabrio (pyracolostrobin, 11).
Please see the 2015 New Jersey Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations Guide for more information.
Mature bell pepper fruit infected by pepper anthracnose.
Pepper Anthracnose
In recent years, pepper anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum spp. has become a significant problem on some farms in southern New Jersey.
Unlike in tomato, where symptoms are only present in mature (red) fruit, pepper anthracnose can infect pepper fruit at any growth stage. [Read more…]
Pepper anthracnose symptoms
on bell pepper fruit:
note pink-orange spore masses.
The first cases of pepper anthracnose are being reported. Pepper anthracnose can be extremely destructive causing 100% loss if left uncontrolled. No peppers are resistant to anthracnose.
Growers with a history of pepper anthracnose on their farm or in particular fields should be highly diligent and scout their fields on a regular basis looking for ‘hot spots’.
Pepper anthracnose always starts out as a ‘hot spot’ and then fans out with the prevailing direction of the wind. The hot, wet weather and isolated afternoon and evening showers in many areas have been ideal for anthracnose development. If a ‘hot spot’ is found, all fruit (of any size) from the area and from nearly plants should be strip-picked and discarded appropriately. [Read more…]
