Anthracnose of Chilli
Anthracnose of chilli is the most common fungal disease of chili. The devastating effects of anthracnose on chilli crops in tropical and subtropical climates have been widely documented. For a long time, India dominated the global chili market as the primary supplier of spice. However, in recent years, the country’s production has fallen dramatically, and it now ranks third. It has been revealed that India suffers an annual loss of almost 29.5%, equivalent to a staggering US$ 491.67 million.
The anthracnose of chilli has been blamed for a loss in yield of 10-54 percent in India. Numerous other countries have also reported heavy losses, such as Vietnam (where estimates range from 20% to 80%) and Korea (10% to 20%). Loss is significant because the disease is active both before and after harvest, reducing the harvestable yield of chilli fruits by 30–80 percent. Anthracnose of chili causes black spots on the fruit and the fruit is no longer usable.
Symptoms of Anthracnose
The Symptoms appear on chili plants causing dark spots on fruits and leaves. In the Early-stage of the disease these spots look tiny, and at the higher stage of the disease spreads from all fruits to leaves; so causing the fruits and leaves to turn black, and chili is not able for used. Environmental factors have a significant impact on the severity and spread of any disease. The favorable host, pathogen, and climatic conditions result in disease establishment. Before establishing a disease management strategy, it is necessary to gain a full understanding of the disease’s epidemiology.
The anthracnose of chilli is particularly prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions. The climate is conducive to the propagation of the disease because it is hot and humid. Other major environmental elements that influence the severity of the disease are the intensity and length of precipitation, humidity, leaf surface moisture, and light. As a result of the pathogen’s enhanced germination, adhesion, and penetration of host tissues, leaf surface moisture has been strongly correlated with disease severity.
The link between climatic parameters such as rainfall intensity and duration and the prevailing temperature and humidity. As well as crop geometry and inoculum distribution contribute to the potential development of disease. Temperature also impacts the progression of the chilli disease, and the presence of surface moisture and competitive bacteria further promotes the progression of the disease. Temperatures around 27 degrees Celsius and relative humidity of 80 percent have been described as the optimal circumstances for the successful establishment of the disease in a given location. The progression of the disease is also dependent on the host cultivar and its resistance to the infection.
Anthracnose Damage Symptoms
The Greek word for “coal” (anthracnose) is the origin of the disease’s popular name in the plant world. Anthracnose is characterized by very dark, sunken lesions that are home to fungal spores. Dark patches, sunken necrotic tissue, and concentric rings of acervuli are classic indications of anthracnose on chili fruit. In addition to causing fruit rot, it can also lead to spotted leaves, stem death, a blight on young plants, or even damping off. The presence of anthracnose lesions lowers fruit quality, and the disease also diminishes dry weight and crop yield in the case of chilies.
Anthracnose of Chilli is Caused by
The humid weather conditions in the spread of Anthracnose disease of chili is a factor that plays a key role. Because excessive rainfall and humidity are the key factors in this.
Anthracnose of Chilli Disease Cycle
Anthracnose of chili disease bacteria can live easily on weeds and fruit wastage. These bacteria like humid weather conditions and 30 degrees. Heavy rainfall comes with more moisture in the air; this is the favorite condition of this disease bacteria, so the bacteria are alive and attack the plants. Because this disease cycle has continued, effective disease management methods with chemical control can stop this disease cycle.
Causal Organism of Anthracnose of chili
The ascomycete genus Colletotrichum contains the pathogens responsible for this illness. Chilli anthracnose is a fungal disease that has been linked to several different species of Colletotrichum in various parts of the world. Among the many species that might cause this disease, three stand out as particularly significant in India. For the fungus known as Colletotrichum capsici Although C. truncatum and C. gloeosporioides have been linked to the disease, C. truncatum causes the most damage when the fruit is fully developed.
Integrated Disease Management of Anthracnose of Chilli
The illness known as anthracnose of chilli causes a significant drop in the number of chilies that can be harvested from a plant. This is due to the fact that the fruit produced by a plant that is infected with anthracnose of chilli does not live up to the quality expectations of consumers. Therefore, further efforts are being made to discover strategies to control the anthracnose disease that affects chili. In this respect, a biological management strategy for the anthracnose disease of chilly is recommended. Because it is more successful, less harmful to the environment, and less expensive.
Anthracnose of Chilli Chemical Control
The most common control measure for anthracnose of chilli is to apply fungicides that contain copper, captain, thiophanate-methyl, mancozeb, and chlorothalonil. These fungicides should be applied at least twice per season, once at the beginning of the growing season, and once again after the first fruits have set. The application should be done according to the manufacturer’s instructions. It is also important to rotate fungicides to prevent the development of fungicide resistance.
Anthracnose of Chilli Natural Control Measures
- Anthracnose of chilli disease-affect plants uproots from the field.
- Destroy all weeds, and herbs near the field and in the area.
- Disease-free seeds and disease-free plants are cultivated. So for the plantation of chili nurseries, choose those seed varieties that have resistance to fungal disease.
- Drainage and irrigation are properly arranged.
- Crops are cultivated under the rotation principle. The method of mulching for the cultivation of chili is more effective against the disease.
Biological control of Anthracnose of Chilli
- The chemical control method should be used if the anthracnose of chili disease attack is the dangerous stage on the crop because the chemical method of control is more effective; other methods are not beneficial in the higher stage of the disease.
- So the spray of a reputable company is used as a chemical control method.
- All weeds and herbs are destroyed along with the fungicide.
- Tebuconazole, thiophanate methyl, and Floxystrabin are recommended for the chemical control of anthracnose of chili disease.