Vegetos
(An International Journal of Plant Research & Biotechnology)
Pathogen spectrum and occurrence of wilt complex disease in hot pepper in northwestern Ethiopia
*Article not assigned to an issue yet
Alehegn Mastewal, Fininsa Chemeda, Terefe Habtamu, Dejene Mashilla, Mohammed Wassu
Research Articles | Published: 07 August, 2025
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Keywords: Biochemical test, Capsicum annum, n Fusarium oxysporumn , n Rhizoctonia solanin , n Ralstonia solanacearumn , Wilt complex
Abstract
Hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is susceptible to soilborne diseases incited by fungi and bacteria, and plant parasitic nematode species. This study was conducted to identify and characterize pathogens associated with hot pepper wilt complex disease and determine their frequency of occurrence. Wilted hot pepper root and stem samples were collected from pepper growing areas of northwestern Ethiopia during the 2020 main cropping season. Pathogen characterization assays were done based on cultural, morphological, and biochemical tests of the isolates. The causal pathogens were prioritized according to their frequency of occurrence in the survey areas. Pathogens associated with infected roots and stems were Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. capsici, Fusarium solani, Rhizoctonia solani, Pythium spp., and Ralstonia solanacearum. Among these, F. oxysporum f.sp. capsici and Pythium spp. were the most frequently (32.26%) and the least frequently (8.57%) occurring pathogens in the survey areas. The results revealed pathogens associated with wilted hot pepper samples in all inspected areas were highly variable in their cultural and morphological features. Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. capsici and F. solani produced pink, cottony-white, white, and creamy-white colonies with variability in their frequencies of occurrence on potato dextrose agar medium. Likewise, R. solani and Pythium spp. had quite similar cultural pigmentation, except the former had scelrotial formation on the front view of its culture. Cultural, morphological and biochemical tests also confirmed the presence of R. solanacearum in wilted samples. This study has confirmed that fungal, bacterial, and unidentified pathogens were found associated with hot pepper wilt complex disease in hot pepper growing fields of the study areas. The study offers insights into wilt complex pathogens and emphasizes the need for multi-disease-resistant hot pepper varieties and effective Integrated Disease Management (IDM) strategies. Thus, effective and sustainable management strategies targeted to those with complex disease-causing pathogens need priority focus in the survey areas and other locations with similar agro-ecologies.
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Author Information
Department of Horticulture, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia