ARS | Publication request: Resistant Pepper Genotypes and Soil Treatments for Managing Root Disease and Root-knot Nematode in Pepper

Submitted to: International Pepper Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings/Symposium
Publication Acceptance Date: September 7, 2008
Publication Date: September 7, 2008
Citation: Thies, J.A., Dickson, D.W., Hassell, R., Rosskopf, E.N., Mendes, M. 2008. Resistant Pepper Genotypes and Soil Treatments for Managing Root Disease and Root-knot Nematode in Pepper. 19th International Pepper Conference Proceedings. P. 27. September 7-10, 2008, Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Technical Abstract: Resistant pepper cultivars and soil treatments in various combinations were evaluated for managing Pythium and root-knot nematodes in field trials in Charleston, SC and Citra, FL. Five pepper genotypes differing in resistance to Phytophthora capsici and Meloidogyne incognita were studied in combination with four soil treatments. Pepper genotypes were: `Charleston Belle¿, a root-knot nematode resistant bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and its susceptible recurrent parent, `Keystone Resistant Giant¿; CM-334, a serrano pepper resistant to both root-knot nematode and Phytophthora capsici; `Paladin¿, a Phythophthora-tolerant bell pepper; and `Jupiter¿, a bell pepper highly susceptible to P. capsici. Soil treatments were BioPhos (drip application), Ridomil Gold EC (drip application), pre-plant fumigation with methyl bromide (98:2), and an untreated control. All genotypes performed well in methyl bromide treated plots. Plants in plots treated with BioPhos or Ridomil exhibited less root rot, wilting and chlorosis, even though significant differences were not detected as compared to the untreated control. CM-334 exhibited high resistance to root-knot nematodes, and excellent root vigor and low area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) for wilting and chlorosis associated with Pythium root rot. `Charleston Belle¿ exhibited high resistance to root-knot nematodes, but was susceptible to Pythium root rot. `Paladin¿, `Keystone Resistant Giant¿, and `Jupiter¿ were susceptible to root-knot nematodes and Pythium root rot.