Causal Agent: 

Fungus (Cercospora capsici)

Characteristic Symptoms:
 
Leaves and fruits can be affected particularly in hot humid conditions.
   
Leaf spots begin as small, circular, brown lesions with “frog-eye” appearance.
   
Sometimes, spots are surrounded by a distinct yellow halo.
   
Under warm and wet conditions, the lesions coalesce and the leaves may appear blighted.
   
Conditions for Disease Development:
 
The pathogen is most active under hot conditions (21°C night temp and 30-35°C day temp). 
   
Spores are produced within 10 days and are disseminated by wind, rain, irrigation or mechanical means (tools, implements, workers, leaf to leaf contact).
   
The disease is common in heavy soils and in low-lying areas that can retain soil moisture for long periods.
   
The fungus is well known to carry over from one season to another in association with crop debris.
   
The fungus survives in or on seed.
   
The disease is favoured by warm and wet conditions.
   
Management and Control:
 
Use pathogen-free seeds and seedlings.
   
Remove and destroy infected plants/fruits as soon as symptoms are observed to minimize spread of disease.
   
Avoid overhead irrigation or prolonged moisture to minimize disease severity.
   
Staking increases air movement and may help reduce infection in the field.
   
Remove and destroy infected pepper tissues immediately after harvest.
   
Crop rotation for 2 years may help reduce inoculum in the soil.
   
Spray program of protectant fungicides (chlorothalonil; copper-based, mancozeb, maneb) can help reduce disease incidence and severity.
   
 chlorothalonil (e.g. Daconil®, Agronil®, Yoda®, Rover®, Yoda 500Ⓡ), copper-based fungicides (e.g. Cupravit®, Super BlueⓇ, Vitigran blueⓇ, FunguranⓇ, KocideⓇ, Hydroxide superⓇ), mancozeb (e.g. Attain M-80Ⓡ, Achem Mancozeb 80 WPⓇ, Micron 80 WOⓇ, VanzebⓇ).
   

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