Cause Colletotrichum acutatum (syn. Glomerella acutata), C. coccodes, C. gloeosporioides (syn. G. cingulata) and C. truncatum (syn. C. capsici) have been reported on pepper. These fungi are saprophytic for part of their life cycle and may survive as microsclerotia from year to year in soil or infected plant debris. Solanaceous crops and weeds are potential hosts. Seed may also be infected. Free moisture and mild temperatures are conducive for disease development, with 68°F to 76°F being optimum for infections. Wounding of the plant by mechanical means or infection by other pathogens facilitates infection by these fungi.
Symptoms Round-to-oval, sunken spots appear on both green and ripe fruit, especially where fruit are in contact with the soil. Spores develop around the center of fruit spots under humid conditions, and the area darkens, later developing pinkish-orange gelatinous spore masses. Numerous black microsclerotia form in concentric rings within fruit spots. As disease progresses, fruit spots have concentric rings of black, orangish-pink, and tan colors. Infections of green fruit may remain latent until after harvest. Infected seed may result in seedling infection. Such infections often are unnoticed until fruit starts to grow, at which time the fruit-rot phase may become serious. Spots on leaves and stems are irregular in shape and tan to brown in color with a darker-brown border.
Cultural control
- Practice at least a two-year rotation between plantings of crops in the solanaceous family.
- Control night shades and other solanaceous weeds throughout the crop rotation period.
- Use pathogen-free seed.
- Inspect transplants and discard diseased plants before transplanting.
- Use drip rather than overhead irrigation.
- Destroy all plant debris by incorporating into the soil.
Chemical control Begin applications before flowering in areas with chronic problems.
- Chlorothalonil (Group M5) formulations are labeled.
- Bravo Weather Stik at 1.5 pints/A or Bravo Ultrex at 1.4 lb/A on 7- to 10-day intervals. Preharvest interval is 3 days. 12-hr reentry.
- Echo 720 at 1.5 pints/A on 7- to 10-day intervals. Preharvest interval is 3 days. 12-hr reentry.
- Copper (Group M1) formulations are registered.
- Badge SC at 0.75 to 2.25 pints/A and 0.5 to 2 Tbsp/1,000 sq ft in greenhouses on 3- to 10-day intervals. Preharvest interval is 0 days. 24-hr reentry for greenhouse use; 48-hr reentry for all other applications.
- Champ Formula 2 at 1.33 to 2 pints/A. 48-hr reentry.
- Cueva at 0.5 to 2 gal/100 gal water on 7- to 10-day intervals. May be applied on the day of harvest. 4-hr reentry. O
- Cuprofix Ultra 40 Disperss at 1.25 to 3 lb/A on 5- to 10-day intervals. 48-hr reentry.
- Kocide 2000 at 1.5 to 2.25 lb/A or Kocide 3000 at 0.75 to 1.25 lb/A on 7- to 10-day intervals. 48-hr reentry.
- Previsto at 1 to 2 quarts/A on 5- to 10-day intervals. 48-hr reentry. O
- Demethylation-inhibiting (DMI) fungicides (Group 3) are registered for use. Alternate or tank-mix with a non-Group 3 fungicide for resistance management.
- Mettle 125 ME at 6 to 8 fl oz/A on 7- to 14-day intervals. Application can be made the day of harvest. 12-hr reentry.
- Rhyme at 7 fl oz/A on 7- to 14-day intervals. Preharvest interval is 0 days. 12-hr reentry.
- Topguard at 14 fl oz/A on 7-day intervals. Preharvest interval is 0 days. 12-hr reentry.
- OSO 5% SC (Group 19) at 3.75 to 13 fl oz/A on 7- to 14-day intervals. Can be applied the day of harvest. 4-hr reentry. O
- Regalia (Group P5) at 1 to 4 quarts/A plus another fungicide on 7- to 10-day intervals. Does not benefit from the addition of an adjuvant. Preharvest interval is 0 days. 4-hr reentry. O
- Strobilurin fungicides (Group 11) are labeled for use. Do not make more than one (1) application of a Group 11 fungicide before alternating to a labeled fungicide with a different mode of action.
- Cabrio EG to 12 oz/A or 8 to 12 oz/100 gal water on 7- to 14-day intervals. Preharvest interval is 0 days. 12-hr reentry.
- Quadris Flowable at 6 to 15.5 fl oz/A on 7- to 14-day intervals. Preharvest interval is 0 days. 4-hr reentry.
- Trilogy at 0.5% to 1%. Not labeled for use in Oregon. Do not use above 90°F or when plants are under heat or moisture stress. Do not use when foliage is wet as good coverage is essential. Poor control as a stand-alone product. 4-hr reentry. O
- Premixes of fungicides are available and offer ease for fungicide resistance management. Do not make more than one (1) application of a Group 11 fungicide before alternating to a labeled fungicide with a different mode of action; for other fungicide groups apply no more than two (2) sequential applications alternating with another fungicide with a different mode of action.
- Aprovia Top (Group 7 + 3) at 10.5 to 13.5 fl oz/A on 7- to 10-day intervals. Preharvest interval is 0 days. 12-hr reentry.
- Dexter Max (Group M3 + 11) at 1.7 to 2.25 lb/A on 7- to 10-day intervals. Preharvest interval is 7 days. 24-hr reentry.
- Dexter Xcel (Group M3 + 11 +3) at 48 fl oz/A on 7- to 10-day intervals. Preharvest interval is 7 days. 24-hr reentry.
- Inspire Super (Group 3 + 9) at 16 to 20 fl oz/A on 7- to 10-day intervals. Preharvest interval is 0 days. 12-hr reentry.
- Orondis Opti (Group M5 + 49) at 1.75 to 2.5 pints/A on 7- to 10-day intervals. Preharvest interval is 3 days. 12-hr reentry.
- Priaxor Xemium Brand at 4 to 8 fl oz/A on 7- to 14-day intervals. Preharvest interval is 0 day. 12-hr reentry.
- Quadris Top (Group 11 + 3) at 8 to 14 fl oz/A on 7- to 10-day intervals. May be applied the day of harvest. 12-hr reentry.
Biological Control Efficacy in the Pacific Northwest is unknown.
- Actinovate AG at 3 to 12 oz/A as a foliar spray on 7- to 14-day intervals. 4-hr reentry. O
- Actinovate Lawn & Garden at 0.5 to 1 teaspoon/gal water. H O
- Serenade Opti at 14 to 20 oz/A on 7- to 10-day intervals. Applications can be made up to and the day of harvest. 4-hr reentry. O