Development of variety screening method for anthracnose disease of chilli (Capsicum annum L.) under field conditions

Abstract

Anthracnose disease significantly affect the yield an d fru it quality of chilli (Capsicum annum L.). None of the chilli varieties was resistant to anthracnose b ut th ere was no reliable method to identify resistant varieties. Therefore, experiments were conducted to develop a suitable variety screening method to identify anthracnose resistant varieties o f chilli u n d e r field conditions. The pathogen found in th e North-Central region of Sri L an k a was Colletotrichum ca p sid . Conidia of Colletotrichum capsid germinate an d differentiate into ap p resso ria on fru it surfaces a t all maturity stages, b u t the highest rates occurred on surfaces of red rip e fruits. Anthracnose lesions initiate afte r fruits had ripened. These findings showed th a t chilli fru its a t red ripe stage are more susceptible to Colletotrichum ca p sid th an green fruits. Suitable method of variety screening against anthracnose is spraying of spore suspensions of Colletotrichum ca p sid (10s conidia ml water) a t red ripe stage o f fruits followed by spraying w a te r from n ext day fo r a one week period a t a frequency of two times p e r day. Percentage incidence of an th ra cn o se affected fruits could be used to identify re sistant varieties.