Diseases and pests of peppercause numerous damage to shoots, leaves and fruits, and sometimes the death of entire plants. Thus, they significantly reduce the yield and lower its quality. It is worth learning to recognizesymptoms of pepper diseasesand pests that attack it in order to effectively fight these pathogens. We suggest the best ways tocombat diseases and pests of pepperin amateur crops in home and allotment gardens. Here are proven ways to get he althy peppers from your own garden!
Pepper without diseases and pests is quite a liberal gardener.
Fig. pixabay.com
How to prevent diseases and pests of peppers?
According to the proverb, prevention is better than cure, it is worth first of all to take preventive measures that will allowto minimize the risk of infection of the pepper by diseases or pests . To do this:
- Systematically weed paprika , as removing weeds lowers the risk of viral and fungal diseases in peppers,
- Observe the appropriate crop rotation, i.e.do not grow peppers in the next years in the same place , because in the soil I can winter the pathogens from the previous year,
- Inspect the crop regularly and earlyRemove plants affected by diseases or pests ,
- Exactlyclean up plant residuesafter growing,
- In the case of growing paprika in a greenhouse, before starting a new cropdisinfect both the greenhouse(e.g. with sulfur dioxide) and the substrate (e.g. by steam disinfection or pouring the soil) boiling water),
- Sow he althy and treated seeds,
- Performecological preventive sprayswith natural preparations that strengthen the immunity of peppers and protect them against diseases, such as Biosept Active.
Fungus diseases of peppers
Gray mold on paprika
The idealconditions for the development of gray mold on peppercan be observed in low light, calcium and potassium deficiency and high air humidity. The characteristicsymptoms of this pepper diseaseare observed in the form of brown spots covered with a fluffy, dusty coating of the fungus spores.
Gray mold on the pepper fruit
Fig. depositphotos.com
Fighting gray mold on paprikaconsists in removing infected plants from the field or in a foil tent, as well as when the first symptoms of the disease appear, 2-3 sprays every 7 days with Amistar Opti 480 SC and Switch 62.5 WG.If we avoid the use of chemicals, it is worth supporting the aforementioned Biosept Active preparation and natural preparations based on garlic and horsetail.
Curd rot
Curd rot is apaprika disease that affects the aerial parts of the plant : shoots, stems and fruits. The organs initially develop watery spots, with time covered with a white coating, in which black spores of the fungus can be seen. Whenis noticed, the first symptoms of this disease of peppersshould be sprayed with Amistar 250 SC or Signum 33 WG.
Werticilioza
Werticiliosis is a very serious disease of peppers , which manifests itself in the period of full fruiting or shortly before the beginning of the harvest.Symptoms of verticillia can be recognized by the loss of vigor of vegetables , visible as wilting of the youngest leaves, while for the next few days the leaves regain vigor.Plants wilt in turn, yellow or brown V-shaped discoloration develops on the edges and between the veins of the oldest leaves.Pepper leaves gradually fall off and the plant diesAfter noticing the first symptoms, spray with a protective agent Topsin M 500 SC.
Bacterial diseases of peppers
Wet Bacterial Rot
Symptoms of wet pepper bacterial rotare visible on the top part of the fruit covered with a liquid mass and in the form of a soft flesh. The rot covers the entire fruit and sometimes also the stems. The bestconditions for the development of this disease in peppers occur in high humidity of the environment , and the infection itself occurs after mechanical damage, cracks in the skin, or the so-called sunburn.In the fight against this bacterial disease of paprikaavoid nitrogen over-fertilization and damage to the fruit. The pathogen can survive the winter in the remains of infected fruit, plants and weeds, so it is important to thoroughly clean the plant remains after cultivation.
Bacterial paprika
Bacterial paprika of paprika is abacterial disease that affects peppers grown in the field and under coverThe source of infection is plant debris left in the soil and infected seeds.The symptoms of this pepper disease appearon the above-ground parts of the plant. Small, dark spots appear on the skin of green fruits, often slightly raised, with time the spots darken more. In turn, necrotic spots with a yellow border are formed on the leaves of peppers. A treatment that limits the source of infection is decontamination of the growing substrate, the use of a 3-4-year break in the cultivation of solanaceous plants, as well as avoiding cultivation work when the plants are wet.
Pepper pests
Mchickpeas on paprika
The aphids appearing in the cultivation of peppersare mostly peach and cucumber aphids. They can hibernate in greenhouses and attack plants, causing leaf discoloration, inhibition of growth or transmission of viral diseases.Plant observations should start in March and be carried out throughout the entire cultivation. It is important to spray the plants with a natural preparation based on garlic and onion, dandelion or tobacco after the first pests or damage to the plants are noticed, or, in the case of a large infection, with Decis AL plant protection, and repeat the spraying after 14 days if necessary.
Nightshade mincer
Nightshade minder is a pest of peppers , the larvae of which feed on the leaf crumb, leaving the skin intact. As a result of feeding, characteristic, narrow corridors, the so-called mines. As the larvae mature, the number of corridors increases, and in case of severe damage, the leaves die, which leads to the death of entire plants. Adults have white spots on the edges of their leaves. When growing peppers, frequent plant observations should be carried out, and in the case of a strong infection, spray with plant protection products, e.g.Mospilan 20 SP.
Red spider mite
The hop spider mite is a pepper pest that sucks up the content of plant cells by puncturing the leaf tissue.The symptoms of spider mites on peppersare easy to recognize by the tiny, bright spots that gradually cover the entire leaf surface. When heavily attacked, the leaves of paprika dry up, and the whole plants are covered with delicate cobwebs. After the first symptoms of spider mite feeding are observed, spraying with spider mites should be performed. In garden crops, it is worth using natural preparations for spider mites, such as Emulpar 940 EC.
MSc Eng. Joanna Białowąs
