Effectiveness of 14 Fungicides for Suppressing Lesions Caused by Phytophthora capsici on Inoculated Stems of Chile Pepper Seedlings
Phytophthora blight, caused by the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora capsici, is an economically important disease in bell and chile pepper. Fourteen different fungicides were evaluated with respect to inhibition of stem lesion growth on chile pepper seedlings inoculated with mycelium or with zoospores of P. capsici 1 or 3 weeks after treatment of plant foliage and stems or roots. Fungicides containing ametoctradin + dimethomorph and fluopicolide were the most effective among tested products in both experiments across eight trial parameters (inoculum type, inoculation time after treatment, and fungicide application site). Other active ingredients, including acibenzolar-S-methyl, dimethomorph, fenamidone, ethaboxam, mandipropamid, mefenoxam, and oxathiapiprolin, were most effective in reducing stem lesion growth in three to seven of the eight trial parameters evaluated. Compared to nontreated plants, stem lesion inhibition ranged from 84.1 to 100%. Data from these trials demonstrate the comparative effectiveness of tested products under controlled environmental conditions favorable for disease development; however, confirmation of these findings is required in field trials, where plant and environmental conditions will be variable. Accepted for publication 18 September 2014. Published 1 November 2014.