TOP 5 PLANT PATHOLOGY

1. Blossom end rot
2. Sunscald
3. Elephant's Foot
4. Fruit Cracking and Pointed Tip
5. Internal Growths, Wings and Tails

1. BLOSSOM END ROT

Blossom end rot is a result of calcium deficiency in the developing fruit. Calcium is absorbed by the roots and traslocated upward in the plants to developing shoots, flowers and fruit. Fluctuating moisture, temperature and humidity conditions that result in reduced transpiration, drought stress and unbalanced fruit set and fruit load versus vegetative growth, can lead to calcium deficiency in the developing fruit, which later results in blossom end rot. On affected plants, the blossom ends of pepper fruit are whitish yellow, soft and sunken; they may later turn brown or black. Occasionally, the discoloration may appear only internally in the fruit. Blossom end rot can be prevented by reducing water stress and ensuring young plants have adequate calcium uptake.

2. SUNSCALD

Sunscald is caused by excessive exposure to sunlight. Soft, bleached, slightly sunken areas appear usually on the shoulders of the fruit. To prevent sunscald, growers should provide adequate shading to the plant, either through foliage or by supplementary shading. Plants may also be misted with water during hot, sunny weather.

3. ELEPHANT'S FOOT

This disorder most often affects plants that werw not sufficiently hardened-off as seedlings before transplanting. The base of the stem becomes flared and swollen. The outer tissues peel back and there is a soft, brown rot inside the stem. Plant vigour and yield is reduced and the basal stem is more susceptible to pathogen such as botrytis and pythium. The rotting tissue attracts fungus gnats.

4. FRUIT CRACKING AND POINTED TIP

Fruit may crack or split as a result of uneven watering and high root water pressure. Low temperatures may cause pointed ends on fruit. Both of these disorders reduce fruit quality.


5. INTERNAL GROWTHS, WINGS AND TAILS

Abnormal growths on the fruit (wings) or a small pepper within the pepper fruit (internal growths) result from uneven flower pollination. This primarily affects the first fruit set of early crops.