Fruit rot in chili crops, often caused by fungal pathogens like Anthracnose or Colletotrichum spp., can significantly reduce yield and quality.
Fruit rot is one of the major diseases affecting chilli crops, causing significant yield loss and reducing the marketability of the produce.
Classification:
- Type of Infestation: Disease
- Common Name: Fruit Rot
- Scientific Name: Colletotrichum capsici
- Category of Plant Disease: Fungal Disease
- Mode of spread: Air borne, Natural Wounds
- Affected parts of plant: Leaves, Stem, Flowers, Fruit
Characteristics for Identification of Fruit Rot:
- Discoloration: Affected fruits will often develop discolored patches, ranging from brown, black, orange, or other colors depending on the specific pathogen.
- Softness and rotting: Infected areas become soft and mushy, progressing to complete rotting of the fruit.
- Sunken lesions: Some fruit rot diseases like Anthracnose cause sunken lesions on the fruit surface, often starting from the stem end or around wounds.
- Mold growth: In later stages, white, gray, or black mold may grow on the rotten areas.
- Premature ripening or dropping: Infected fruits may ripen prematurely and fall off before harvest.
Favorable factors for disease/Pest Development:
- Warm and humid weather: Fungal pathogens like Anthracnose and Colletotrichum spp. thrive in warm temperatures (25-35°C) and high humidity, exceeding 70%. These conditions promote fungal growth, spore germination, and spread through wind and water droplets.
- Excessive rainfall or overhead watering: Standing water on leaves and fruits creates a moist environment perfect for spore germination and infection. Overhead watering, where water directly hits the fruits, can splash spores and spread the disease.
- Poor air circulation: Densely planted crops or excessive foliage restrict air movement, leading to stagnant moisture and humidity around fruits.
Symptoms:
- Water-soaked Lesions on Fruits
- Softening and Decay
- Wilting and Yellowing of Leaves
- White Fungal Growth
Chilli Fruit Rot Control
Biological Control:
- Katyayani Tyson (Trichoderma Viride 1% WP) - Dose: 5-10 ml / Liter water
- Katyayani Striker (Pseudomonas Fluorescens) - Dose: 5-10 ml / Liter water
Chemical Control:
- Katyayani COC50 (Copper oxychloride 50% wp) - Dose: 350 - 400 gm / Acre
- Katyayani Azozole (Azoxystrobin 18.2 % + difenoconazole 11.4 % SC) - Dose: 150-200 ml per Acre
- Katyayani Tebusul (Tebuconazole 10 % + sulphur 65 % WG) - Dose: 500 gm/Acre
- Katyayani Meta (Manco | Metalaxyl 8 % + Mancozeb 64 % wp) - Dose: 350 - 400 gm / acre
- Katyayani Chatur (Mancozeb 40% + Azoxystrobin 7% OS) - Dose: 600ml / acre
Control measures of Fruit Rot in Chilli crop:
| Product | Technical Name | Dosage |
|---|---|---|
| Tyson | Trichoderma Viride | 5-10 ml/Liter water |
| Striker | Pseudomonas Fluorescens | 5-10 ml/Liter water |
| COC50 | Copper Oxychloride 50% WP | 350-400 gm/Acre |
| Azozole | Azoxystrobin 18.2% + Difenoconazole 11.4% SC | 150-200 ml/Acre |
| Tebusul | Tebuconazole 10% + Sulphur 65% WG | 500 gm/Acre |
| Meta | Metalaxyl 8% + Mancozeb 64% WP | 350-400 gm/Acre |
| Chatur | Mancozeb 40% + Azoxystrobin 7% OS | 600 ml/Acre |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What causes fruit rot in chilli crops?
A. Fruit rot is primarily caused by fungal pathogens like Anthracnose or Colletotrichum spp.
Q. What are the symptoms of fruit rot in chilli plants?
A. Symptoms include water-soaked lesions on fruits, softening, decay, wilting of leaves, and white fungal growth.
Q. What weather conditions promote the development of fruit rot?
A. Warm and humid weather, excessive rainfall, and poor air circulation are ideal conditions for fruit rot development.
Q. How can biological control help in managing fruit rot?
A. Biological controls like Trichoderma Viride and Pseudomonas Fluorescens can suppress fungal growth and prevent infection.
Q. What chemical treatments are effective for fruit rot in chilli?
A. Copper Oxychloride, Azoxystrobin, Tebuconazole, Mancozeb, and Metalaxyl are effective chemical treatments for fruit rot.
Q. What preventive measures can be taken to control fruit rot?
A. Preventive measures include maintaining proper spacing, ensuring good air circulation, and avoiding overhead watering.
For more information about pests and diseases, read our other blogs.
