A Recent Study on Integrated Management of Wilt Complex Disease in Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

Effect of various disease management tools on seedling emergence, wilt incidence and yield of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Var. California Wonder was studied as part of integrated management strategies under both glass house and field conditions. The wilt disease, incited by a number of pathogens, is the devastating soil-borne disease and hence difficult to manage. The disease has been observed to be caused by Fusarium spp., Phytophthora capsici and Rhizoctonia solani. Different fungicides were tested against the four wilt pathogens viz, Fusarium oxysporum, Phytopthora capsici, Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotium rolfsii under in-vitro conditions. The fungicides viz, Captan, Carbendazim, Metalaxyl and Carboxin which were found effective under in-vitro conditions were further tested individually as well as in combinations under glass house conditions. Seed treatment followed by seedling treatment with fungicides proved ineffective in controlling wilt incidence disease, however, besides seed treatment and seedling treatment when fungicides were sprayed at crown region of the plant, wilt incidence was significantly reduced. Seed treatment+ seedling treatment + spraying of Carbendazim + Metalaxyl proved most effective and recorded 59.8% disease reduction over check under field conditions. Integration of Captan + Metalaxyl with Trichoderma harzianum and T. virens also proved superior compared to their individual treatments.