Colletotrichum capsici

Fungal Disease

Colletotrichum capsici

Fungal Disease

Symptoms

• Elliptic or oblong brown spots (4-5 cm long, 2-3 cm wide) with grey centers and yellow halos.
• Advanced stages show black fungal dots (acervuli) in concentric rings.
• The grey centers become thin and tear, leading to leaf drying and wilting.
• Multiple spots may merge, covering most of the leaf blade.

Favorable Conditions

• Occurs mainly in October–November.
• Thrives in 80% relative humidity and temperatures of 21–23°C.

Disease Cycle

• Primary infection: The fungus survives on rhizome scales and spreads during sowing.
• Secondary spread: Wind, water, insects, and contaminated tools help in transmission.
• Chilli as a host: Also infects chilli crops, increasing disease risk when rotated or grown nearby.

Proper field sanitation, crop rotation, and resistant varieties help manage the disease.