Pacific Pests, Pathogens and Weeds - Online edition

Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

Capsicum sunscald (085)


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Summary

  • Worldwide distribution. Sunscald affects capsicum and also large red chilli, eggplant, tomato.
  • The damage is caused by the sun heating one side of the fruit due to loss of leaves from pests or diseases, drought, heavy rainfall, broken branches.
  • Cultural control: Make sure plants have nutrients and water for healthy leaf growth; check for pests and diseases weekly; remove early flowers until enough leaves to protect fruits; stake plants.
  • Chemical control: use pesticides only to prevent leaf loss by pests, e.g., chlorothalonil, mancozeb or copper for frog-eye fungal spot.

Common Name

Sunscald

Scientific Name

Sunscald is a 'physiological' problem. It is not caused by insects, fungi, bacteria or other pathogens.


AUTHORS Suzanne Neave & Grahame Jackson
Information from Cerkauskas R (2004) Sunscald. AVRDC-The World Vegetable Center Fact Sheet. AVRDC Publication 04-583; and from Black LL, Green SK, Hartman GL, Poulos JM (1991) Pepper Diseases: A Field Guide. AVRDC Publication No. 91-347.fhm. 98pp. Photo 2 Missouri botanical Gardens. (http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/pests-and-problems/environmental/sunscald/sunscald-of-tomato-and-peppers.aspx). Photo 3 Stephen M Olson Physiological, nutritional and other disorders of tomato fruit. EDIS. University of Florida, IFAS Extension.

Produced with support from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research under project PC/2010/090: Strengthening integrated crop management research in the Pacific Islands in support of sustainable intensification of high-value crop production, implemented by the University of Queensland and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.

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