Characterization of Phytophthora capsici Foot Rot Disease of Black Pepper in Ethiopia

Ethiopia is one of the largest producers of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) in Africa, but the production of this crop is in the decline, because of the foot rot disease caused by Phytophthora capsici. The objective of this study was to determine the morphological characteristics of the Phytophthora capsici the causal agent of foot rot disease of black pepper in southwestern Ethiopia. Thirteen major black pepper growing areas were surveyed and confirmed for the incidence of foot rot disease. Gizmeret farmers field had the highest disease incidence (75%) followed by Bebeka coffee state farm (70%) and the lowest incidence at Shosha (5%). The highest disease severity was at Gizmeret (70%) followed by Bebeka (62%) and the lowest at Shosha (4%). Based on morphological characterization, the foot rot pathogen exhibited globose oogonia with paragynous antheridia, chlamydospore, torulose hyphae and lemon shaped sporangia with long pedicel confirmed that the causal agent of foot rot disease of black pepper in southwestern Ethiopia was Phytophthora capsici.