Farmers need to stay aware of harmful infections to their yield during the rainy season. These diseases are weather dependent and can be harmful to the roots and leaves of the pepper plant. Infections can be generated through the air as well as through rainfall spatters, thus, farmers should focus on proper mitigation techniques in order to maintain a healthy yield. Several diseases that farmers should be on the look out for during the rainy season are explored more in this article.
Phytophthora infection
Phytophthora is an infection that usually attacks pepper leaves is caused by the fungus P. capsici and results in high mortality of pepper plants.. Infections are weather dependent and it thrives on relative humidity, high soil moisture, lower temperature, and reduced sunshine hours. It usually appears as black, water soaked lesions on the leaves, which can later enlarge and spread to the stems. This infection can also be harmful if the plant is already suffering from foot rot.
When the infection is still developing, it is usually carried from the runner shoots through root infections or through the adhering soil particles. This infection spreads rapidly through the air if weather conditions are favorable, but it can also spread to adjacent vines through rain splashes. The fungus can remain dormant in the form of resting spores in infected plants but also as a latent infection in underground plant parts. Phytophthora can be prevented by collecting runner shoots from healthy plantations and removing the soil particles by washing them in water and treating them with fungicide.
Yellow Disease
This disease is caused by the fungus Fusarium and nematodes (Meloidogyne and Radopholus) and affects pepper leaves can be identified by thickening leaves that turn yellow, causing the leaves to curl inward towards the branch/vine. This disease also attacks the roots, causing galls and little holes on the surface. To prevent this disease, proper land clearing and soil management practices prior to planting is crucial. Additionally, proper drainage systems and organic fertilizer application must also be put in place to improve soil fertility. If diseases have occured, sanitizing and removing the infected vines is imperative. Further protection of yields can be done by applying nematicides and biological control or by using natural pesticides such as castor oil and neem seeds.
Update Your Pest & Disease Knowledge Through SpiceUp
Heavy rains usually cause a loss of chemicals in the soil that can reduce a pepper plants’ immunity towards harmful pathogens. Thus, farmers must regularly update their knowledge on pests & diseases in order to effectively mitigate harmful infections. Farmers must also invest in the right fungicides to protect their yield quality and maintain the health of their pepper plants. One of the ways farmers can learn more about pests & diseases is through SpiceUp’s e-learning materials. These materials are readily available in the SpiceUp app andprovides complete in-depth articles on various disease types and explains how farmers can properly treat them. By utilising the SpiceUp app, farmers can easily access information and recommendations for any disease that can affect pepper plants.