Response ofCapsicumGenotypes toCercosporaLeaf Spot Disease and Yield as a Result of Natural Infection in the Tropics

Cercospora leaf spot (CLS) disease caused by Cercospora capsici on Pepper (Capsicum spp.) is a major constraint to pepper production. Field experiments were conducted under tropical conditions to evaluate pepper genotypes for reactions to CLS as a result of natural infection in two cropping seasons. Six-week-old pepper seedlings were transplanted to the field and plants were randomly sampled for symptom expression and to isolate the causal organism. Data were collected on disease incidence, severity, and fruit yield. Disease incidence and severity and yield were affected by genotype, season, and the Genotype × Season interaction. Capsicum chinense (Jacq.), cv. Rodo, and C. frutescens L., cv. Ata wewe, were moderately resistant to CLS in both seasons; C. frutescens, cv. NHVI-AB, and C. frutescens, cv. Sombo wewe, produced higher fruit yields in wet and dry seasons, respectively. Production of Capsicum can be undertaken in the dry season with little incidence of Cercospora leaf spot.