Interaction of Pepper Experimental Lines with Phytophthora Crown and Root Rot in 2000

This study was conducted in the greenhouse at the Yuma Agricultural Center. Thirty-nine experimental lines of pepper from the Texas A&M pepper breeding collection were seeded and grown in the greenhouse in 8 fl. oz. plastic pots. When plants were 2 months old (Aug 8), the potting mix in each pot was infested with Phytophthora capsici. Plants were placed in 2-in. deep containers filled with water for 48 hr every 2 weeks, which maintained the potting mix in a saturated condition and encouraged disease development. The mean temperature of the potting mix from the time it was infested with Phytophthora capsici to the termination date of the study was 81 °F. Disease progress and the relative susceptibility of each test plant to Phytophthora crown and root rot was assessed by recording the date when each plant displayed necrosis around the lower stem and was permanently wilted. The environmental conditions during this study were very favorable for disease development. The mean duration of plant survival for pepper selections ranged from 9 to 51 days. If no plants had died due to Phytophthora crown and root rot, the duration of plant survival would have been 74 days. Most plant selections were readily attacked and killed by Phytophthora capsici. The experimental lines with the highest survival rating may be somewhat tolerant to disease; however, additional testing in further greenhouse and field trials is required to substantiate these preliminary results