Vol. 11, Special Issue 5 (2022)

Author(s):
Harshitha KN, Palakshappa MG, Yashoda H, Sridevi O and Mallapur CP

Abstract:
Chilli, Capsicum annum (L.) is an important spice and vegetable crop throughout the world, which is renowned to enhance the taste and aroma, it is an annual cash crop. The sustainability of chilli is affected by various biotic and abiotic stresses, major fungal foliar pathogen causing havoc in production, export and marketing is fruit rot or anthracnose of chilli. It is known to cause by major Colletotrichum species viz., Colletotrichum capsici, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Colletotrichum acutatum and Colletotrichum coccodes. Thus, conducting survey in major chilli growing belts helps in knowing disease intensity, suitable management measures and collection of isolates. Roving survey was conducted during kharif 2020 and kharif 2021 in Belagavi, Dharwad, Gadag and Haveri districts of northern Karnataka. Mean highest per cent disease index (PDI) was recorded in Dharwad district (36.95) whereas, lowest PDI of 32.93 in Belagavi district during both kharif seasons. Among the taluks surveyed, Annigeri taluk of Dharwad district recorded highest PDI of 43.65 during kharif 2020 and lowest PDI in Kundgol taluk (21.96). During kharif 2021, Kundgol taluk showed highest PDI of 50.35 and Ramdurg taluk (36.22) of Belagavi district recorded lowest PDI. Morphological examination of samples from the surveyed region revealed that Colletotrichum capsici and C. acutatum were the major species infecting chilli.