Ministry of

Agriculture and
Fisheries
St.Vincent and
the Grenadines
A Crop Production
Technical Guide
March 2003

Hot Pepper
Sponsor’s Page
 A Crop Production
REFERENCES
Technical Guide
A Training Manual for the Production of Hot Peppers BELIZE.

CARDI (Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Insti-

tute) Technical Improvement File on Hot Peppers

HERMAN, Adams et al. 1999. Hot Pepper Lines for the Carib-
bean

Celestial Arts, 1997. The Pepper Pantry: Herbaneros Hot Pepper

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries

St.Vincent and the Grenadines

March 2003
 ANNEX C: G E N E R A L F U N G I C I D E U S E C H A R T

Yellow Sigatoka

rhizoctonia
Black rot

Southern Blight
Black pod

Gummosis
Black spot

Fusarium

Botrytis
Septoria Leaf spot

Sooty Mould
phytophthora

Melanose
Greasy Spot

Rust

Scab
This guide to production was compiled by a group of
technical officers within the Department of Agriculture,









the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development
Institute (CARDI) and the St.Vincent Marketing
Corporation (SVMC).

The contents are a representation of different research

work done on the production of this crop under similar







conditions as exist in St.Vincent and the Grenadines.

The graphical presentations and some of the photographs

are also reproduction from various sources including the



Communications Unit in the Ministry of Agriculture and
Fisheries.







Layout and design were also done by the
Communications Unit.

 ANNEX C: G E N E R A L F U N G I C I D E U S E C H A R T
CONTENTS

Fungicide/Bactericid

Foliar application
Soil Application
Contact Fungicide

Downy Mildew

Powdery Mildew

Damping off
Systemic

Alternaria

Cercospora
es

Anthracnose
1. Introduction ..................................... 6

2. Climatic Requirements ................... 6

3. Recommended Varieties ................. 6

Kocide 101







4. Site Selection .................................... 8

Manzate






5. Land Preparation ............................ 8

200Df
Benlate





6. Seedling Production ........................ 9
Bravo






(Daconil 7. Planting and Spacing ...................... 10
2787)
8. Water Requirement ........................ 11
Bordeaux


Mixture 9. Plant Nutrition ................................ 12
Captan








Chipco 26018




10. Other Cultural Practices .............. 13

Trimiltox





11. Pest Management .......................... 14

Forte
Aliette



12. Weed Management ....................... 22
Subdue 2E


Banrot


13. Harvesting and Yields .................. 23
Cupravit



14. Post Harvest Handling .................. 23
Dithane M45





15 Record Keeping .............................. 24
Peltar





Ridomil


16. Marketing ...................................... 25
Mertect


Calixin
17. Cost of Production ........................ 26
Folicur




Phyton





ANNEX .......................... 27
Rizolex

 1. INTRODUCTION
ANNEX B: G E N E R A L I N S E C T I C I D E U S E C H A R T

Mole Cricket

Leafminer
Cutworm
Fleis

Grub

lacebug
Mealybugs

Mites

Leafhoppers

Midges
Hoppers

Ants
Hot Peppers, Capsicum chinense, are members of the genus Capsi-
cum and the family solanaceae that include tomato and egg plant.
Several species in the genus Capsicum have been described, but
only two (2) are commercially produced in the Caribbean. This
includes hot pepper varieties such as Scotch Bonnet, Habanero and
the West Indies Red and Yellow. There is an extra-regional market




demand for the varieties mentioned and even more so an increasing




demand for the varieties that produce dark green berries (fruits).



This guide therefore targets the production of hot pepper in









St.Vincent and the Grenadines in a sustainable manner conducive to
the principles of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP’s).









2. CLIMATIC REQUIREMENTS









Hot pepper is a warm season vegetable, but can be grown under a




wide range of temperatures (15°C - 32°C) and moisture conditions.
Excess rainfall and temperatures between 32°C - 35°C, cause



severe loss of blossoms.

3. RECOMMENDED VARIETIES

Only large varieties are grown for commercial purposes, which

include the following:



(i) West Indies Red

This variety was developed in the Caribbean and therefore performs

with excellence in the region. The pepper is large, light green with

a brilliant sheen at maturity, and gives excellent yields. It is highly
resistant to a number of the diseases that normally affect peppers.



The West Indies Red has commendable storage life and its thick
walls make it excellent for export.
 (ii) Scotch Bonnet
ANNEX B: G E N E R A L I N S E C T I C I D E U S E C H A R T
This is the most variable of domestic species and the most wide-

Caterpillars
Beetle

Stinkbugs
Weevil
spread within Latin America. Large-fruited, thick-walled types,

White fly

Thrips
Aphids

Scale Insects
which are used fresh, are common in the Caribbean, while in costal
parts of the Andean region, this-walled types which are used dried,
also occur. The Fruit can be extremely pungent and aromatic, with
persistent pungency when eaten.
M a la t h io n








K a ra t e




(iii) Caribbean Green
S e v in



B a s u d in





The fully developed berry is of a deep dark green color before it
turns dark red. The length of the berry is 3.76 cm and the width is
P r im o r

3.32 cm resulting in a blocky shape. The fruit wall thickness is 2.6
A m b u s h 50



mm and the number of locules per fruit is 4. It takes an average of
D e c is



85 berries to weigh a kilogram (38 berries in 1 lb).
A m b u s h 50




EC
M -P e d e



(iv) Caribbean Red
S u n s p ra y



The fully develop berry is of a pale light green to cream color. The
P e r f e k t h io n




average fruit length is 4.2 cm and the average width is 2.8 cm giving
the fruit an elongated shape. It takes an average of 89 berries to
O rt h e n e






weigh a kilogram (40 berries in 1 lb) The fruit wall thickness is 1.2
D u rs b a n



mm. There are 4 locules per berry.
D ip e l

N o m o lt

(v) Habanero
N e w M e c t in
( V e r t im e c ) There are four (4) basic varieties of habanero which are originally
from the Caribbean and South America. The habaneros are high
B e lm a r k



yielding varieties and are very adaptable to local tropical conditions.
The pepper vary enormously in size and shape according to the vari-
T o rq u e ety, ranging from berries ¼ inch in diameter and pods of up to 5
K e lt h a n e inches long. Caribbean habaneros are often flattened at the end and
( D ic o f o l) resemble a tam or bonnet. The pods are green at immaturity and
A c t e llic

range from red, orange, yellow or white at maturity. They have a
A d m ir e


distinct ‘apricot like’ fruit aroma and can hold their flavor, heat and
aroma during storage.
Cascade

 4. SITE SELECTION PESTICIDE APPLICATION DAYS TO
PEST RATE HARVEST
(per gal water)
Weeds
Gramoxone ½ - 1 fl.oz
Hot peppers should be grown Round up 1½ - 2 fl.oz
in open areas free from shade Lasso 2 fl.oz
or overhanging trees. Avoid Herbadox 1¾ fl.oz
areas heavily infested with nut-
grass. Other Pests
Clay, sandy and stony soils
should be avoided in addition Mites Torque 5 ml. (1 tsp) 7 days
to waterlogged areas or areas prone to Sandy Loam of Silt Loam Cascade 5 ml. —–
flooding. Sandy loam soils are best for cultivation New mectin ½ - 1½ ml 7 days
or silt loam soils are best. (light infesta-
tion)

5. LAND PREPARATION DISCLAIMER

The use of trade names in this booklet is to identify
examples only and is not meant to endorse these
Soils should be well ploughed to depths of 30 cm (12”). The addi-
products or discredit any similar product.
tion of pen manure or organic matter to the soil assist the plants in
early establishment and development. Ensure the land is well
drained.
Prepare ridges or raised beds along the contours.

Prepare raised beds or ridge and furrow

ANNEX A: PESTICIDE USE CHART 6. SEEDLING PRODUCTION

PESTICIDE APPLICATION DAYS TO

PEST RATE HARVEST
(per gal water)
Use healthy seeds to guarantee good germination of healthy, vigor-
ous seedlings. One hundred grams of seed (¼ lb) have approxi-
Diseases mately 20,000 seeds, enough to plant two and a half (2½) acres of
land.
Pepper Mosaic —– —– — Hot pepper seeds germinate within 8 - 12 days. They grow slowly
in the initial stages
Bacterial Leaf Spot Kocide 1 oz 10 days
Phyton 27 5-9 ml (1-2 tsp) 1 day Seedlings can be raised in:
Phytophthora Ridomil ¼ oz (1 tsp) 14 days
Blight Banrot ⅓ oz —–
(i) Shaded Seed bed - Prepare
beds on a clean weed free piece
—– —– —– of land with a fine tilt.
Bacterial Wilt
Bravo 1 fl.oz 7 days
Anthracnose Manzate 1 oz 5 days
(ii) Seedling Boxes under covering.
Captan 1½ oz 7 days Use boxes of dimension 14” X 20”.
Southern Blight Rizolex 1 oz —– Sow seeds thinly ¼ inch deep.
Water soil well. 1-2 weeks after
Insects germination, thin out seedlings 3
-4 inches apart. Thinned seed-
Aphids Malathion ½ - 1½ fl.oz 7 days lings should be transplanted into
Karate 3 ml. (½ tsp) 7 days individual cells of seedling boxes
or seed trays.
Leaf Hopper Sevin 1 oz 7 days
Basudin 20 ml. (4 tsp) 7 days
(iii) Seedling Trays
Whitefly Orthene ½ oz 14 days
This is probably the most efficient way of producing seedlings.
Karate 3 ml. (½ tsp) 7 days
Use premix peat-based commercial mix or coconut coir as the
Thrips Malathion ½ - 1½ fl.oz 7 days planting medium. Sow a single seed per cell.
M-Pede 3 - 4 fl.oz None
Generally, seed beds, seedling boxes or trays must be kept moist at
Pepper Stemborer Basudin 20 ml (4 tsp) 7 days all times. Use a nutrient solution during daily watering, but avoid
excessive applications.
Mole Cricket & Basudin 20 ml (4 tsp) 7 days Provide shade for seedlings - no more than 35% - 40%. Harden
Field Cricket seedlings by exposure to direct sunlight and reduce the amount of
watering before transplanting.
Mealy Bugs Basudin 20 ml (4 tsp) 7 days
Malathion ½ - 1½ fl.oz 7 days
 7. PLANTING AND SPAACING

7a. PLANTING

Planting should be planned taking into consideration the follow-

ing:

Time to harvest for the market - harvest from October.

Availability of water and labor for planting and establishment.

Transplant seedlings at 4-5 weeks old or when they are at the 4-5
true leaf stage. Transplanting should preferably be done in the
evenings when temperatures are low or it is cooler, to avoid excess ANNEX
transpiration. Use healthy, properly hardened seedlings. Bury
plant roots firmly into the soil, but not more than half the height of
the seedling. Apply water to the field or at the base of the plants
A. Pesticide Use Chart
soon after transplanting. If plastic mulch is used it must be placed
before transplanting. B. Insecticide Use Chart

C. Fungicide Use Chart

BAD

There is a proper way of transplanting seedlings.

GOOD
 17. COST OF PRODUCTION 7b. SPACING

Labor Operations Unit Rates ($) No. Costs ($)

Land Clearing Man-days 25.00 10 250.00 Transplant seedlings onto raised beds or on ridge and furrow,
spaced at 3ft between rows and 2ft within rows. Closer spacing can
Land Preparation Man-days 25.00 15 375.00
(ridges) make the fruits difficult to harvest and also results in damaged
plants.
Transplanting and Man-days 25.00 12 300.00
Manuring
Insecticide Application Man-days 25.00 21 525.00
Fungicide Application 25.00 4 100.00
(x2)
2 ft

Weedicide Application 25.00 1 25.00

Weeding (manual) (x2) 25.00 24 600.00 3 ft

Fertilizer Application 25.00 105 2625.00

(x21)
Miracle Gro Application 25.00 15 375.00 8. WATER REQUIREMENTS
(x15)
Harvesting 25.00 264 7600.00
Hot peppers require large amounts of water - 5 litres per plant per
Materials day - and so the soil should remain moist as much as possible.
Seedlings - - 7260 1089.00
Fertilizer (NPK Mg) sacks 50 2000.00
As a general rule, watering should be on a ‘little and often’ basis
during the period of establishment, and then in greater quantities as
Manure sacks 6.00 10 60.00 the plant develops. When harvesting begins, it is usual to reduce
Miracle Gro kg 13.00 3 39.00 watering a little. Too much water facilitates bacterial and fungal
diseases. On the other hand, if the soil is left to dry out to the point
Insecticides 300.00
at which the plant wilts, root scorch, followed by the development
Herbicides 100.00 of fungal root rot may occur. If the drying out of the soil reaches
Fungicides 200.00 this stage, it is particularly important to allow the plants to recover
with a small application of water before applying any liquid or
granular fertilizer.
16,563.00

Assumptions (1 acre of West Indies Red)

Plant Spacing - 2ft WR x 3ft BR
Drip irrigation is more effective in
Plant Density - 7260 Total Cost of Production - $16,563.00 comparison to the use of overhead
Marketable Yields - 36000 lbs Total cost per Unit of output - $0.46/lb sprinklers which create conditions for
Maturation Period - 70-90 days Gross Margin - $14,037.00 foliar diseases.
Price per Unit Yield - $0.85¢/lb
(WR - within Row; BR - between row)
Drip irrigation is recommended for peppers.
9. PLANT NUTRITION 16. MARKETING

In general, both the USA and the UK are undergoing a consumer

Suggested nutrient requirement for hot pepper yield of 5t/ha are esti- trend that favors greater use of spicy foods. As a result, there is
mated at Nitrogen 180 kg/ha (396 lbs/ac); Phosphorus 22 kg/ha (49 greater consumption of hot peppers in the USA and UK as
lbs/ac) and Potassium 200 kg/ha (440 lb/ac). mainstream consumers develop stronger taste for ethnic cuisine.

Fertilizer application must however take into consideration nutrient St.Vincent and the Grenadines, through the St.Vincent marketing
recovery rate from the soil by the crop as well as the natural fertility Corporation, exports to the USA, taking advantage of the niche
of the soil. Therefore soil and leaf analyses are recommended for market that exists for about six (6) months of the year, i.e. from
each farm. The organic matter content of the soil and the rate of November to March. However, the local market requires year
leaching also influence application rates. Fertilizer application must round production.
therefore be specific to farms or geographical areas with similar soils.
The following rates are suggested for St.Vincent and the Grenadines. Fruits of the highest quality are required for export. The market
usually demands mature green or ripe (yellow or red) fruits.
Peppers should be firm and shiny. Wilted, diseased or blemished
peppers are unacceptable. Wipe all soiled fruits as washing is not
1 week after Apply 1 oz NPK (12:24:12) in a circular band recommended.
transplanting 2 inches from the plant and cover lightly with
soil.
Generally, in the summer, there is competition from growers in the
3 weeks after Apply 2 oz NIP (12:12:17+2 MgO) in a circular other countries such as Mexico and the USA.
transplanting band 4 inches from the plant and cove lightly
with soil. Currently, the St.Vincent Marketing Corporation has entered into
6 weeks after Apply 2 oz NPK (12:12:17+2 MgO) as spot contractual arrangements for the production of peppers.
transplanting placement about 8 inches from the plant.
9 weeks after Apply 1 oz NPK (16:8:24) at 14 days intervals.
transplanting and
onwards
Also apply a foliar fertilizer (e.g. Miracle Gro, Phostrogen, Calmax at 3
weeks intervals.
This will require 5898 lbs NPK per acre during the first 6 months.

Add organic matter liberally to increase the water holding capacity of

the soil as well as increase its fertility.

Foliar fertilizers, especially those with relatively high phosphorus and

calcium content, should be applied at least once per month. Grading and selection are required. The green
peppers are separated from the red ones and packed in
well ventilated boxes of the size and strength that can
withstand pressures from those above during shipment
 15. RECORD KEEPING 10. OTHER CULTURAL PRACTICES
a. Mulch-
The importance of record keeping cannot be overstated. It is not ing
only the basis by which the farmer can make a proper economic
analysis on profit or loss, but has become an international require- Depending on the scale of production and the accessibility of the
ment as it relates to food safety. mulch, this practice may prove to be very advantageous. It helps to
maintain uniformity in the degree of moisture throughout the field,
The following records should be kept besides it assists in weed control. It is also important that when
mulch is selected, that it be free of weed seeds and should be ade-
1. Cultural Activities quately dried of vegetative material is used.
The date, cost of labor, materials and other cultural activities should
be noted. These include b. Barriers

- land Preparation - Planting Corn barriers can be established around the border of the farm.
- Fertilizer Application - Weed Control This is a useful method since it does not only provide a secondary
- Pest Control - Harvesting source of income but attracts natural enemies that are predators of
- Other some of the insects that attack the pepper plant, such as aphids
among others.
2. Pesticide Record Sheet
The pesticide record sheet should have the following information:

- Crop data (variety, planting date, product code etc.

11. PEST MANAGEMENT
- Name of pesticide
- Place of application
- Dosage and the application dates DISEASES
- Period of time before harvest
- Name and person responsible for application Pepper Mosaic
- Date of last equipment calibration Several viruses affect hot pepper production in St.Vincent causing
increased cost of production and reduced yield. Tobacco mosaic
3. Training and Documentation virus, cucumber mosaic virus and potato virus are three common
viruses of pepper.
- Operator
- Position or job performed by employee Symptoms
- Experience
- Date of training Affected plants usually show striking checkered color, mottling on
- Training material topics leaves and young stems. Leaves are therefore not uniform in color
- Information on institution responsible for training and or shape but show dark green, light green colors or even white
certificate. cream mottles. The plant looks stunted and does not respond to
- Signature. fertilizer application.

Spread
Many viral diseases are seed borne; therefore use of infected seeds is 13. HARVESTING AND YIELDS
an important means of spread. Whiteflies, Thrips and Aphids also Harvesting can be
spread these pathogen from plant to plant during normal feeding. done up to 6 months after planting. The first matured fruit can be
expected approximately 70-80 day after transplanting depending
on the variety. It is important to harvest at the right stage of devel-
Control opment. Harvesting should be done once per week to prevent
overripe fruits. It should be done in dry weather as wet peppers
Control of this pest involves the use of one or more of the following spoil easily. Do not expose the crates to direct sunlight or strong
actions: winds for long periods. Fruits should be picked early in the morn-
ing with the stalk attached. The use of field bags is not recom-
• Purchase and use only certified seeds or seeds collected from mended as peppers are hollow and can be easily crushed. Use
high yielding disease-free plants. field crates or shallow boxes. The harvested peppers should be
firm, shiny, free of blemishes, cracks and soil. Yields vary wit
• Rogue and destroy diseased plants as soon as they are observed. spacing; at a spacing of 2ft x 4ft, up to 30,000 lbs/acre is possible.
At the recommended spacing
• Practice crop rotation. of 2ft x 3ft, up to 36,000 lbs/
acre have been achieved.
• Keep insects, especially Aphids, Whiteflies, Leafhoppers and
Thrips under control. Spray with a suitable insecticide.

Bacterial Spot
Crates are used to harvest peppers
Symptoms

On leaves, bacterial spots are recognized by the presence of several

small spots about 0.5 - 2.0 mm, especially on the under surface. The
spots have a central depression on the upper leaf surface and slightly
raised brown areas centrally on the lower service. On fruits, raised 14. POST HARVEST HANDLING Careful han-
2mm spots with distinct halo are visible. dling is impor-
tant to reduce post harvest losses. Injury will encourage decay.
Hot peppers should not be washed after harvesting, as wet fruits
spoil easily. Store the harvested pepper in a cool place to maintain
turgidity.

Shelf life and quality are directly affected by maturity of fruits at

Xanthomonas campestris the time of harvest. Immature fruits will rapidly shrivel and wilt
(water-soaked spots with
brown centers and thin
Spread due to moisture loss.
chlorotic borders)
 This disease is spread mainly by wind, rain splash and surface runoff
water. The movement of agricultural workers from field to field also
An entire field of peppers may be lends to the spread of this disease.
lost due to a build up of pests and
diseases as seen above. This field
was affected by white flies, mealy
Control
bugs and a serious build up of
fungal diseases. • Ensure there is good soil drainage in the entire field.

• Maintain good weed control practices.

• Use crop rotation with crops not affected by this disease.

e.g. Cucurbits.
12. WEED MANAGEMENT Weed management be-
gins before crop estab- • Destroy crop residue, especially those from infected plants.
lishment. After se-
lecting the field in which the crop is to be established, carefully ex- • Spray with suitable fungicides.
amine the type of weeds present. Identify major problems weeds
for special attention and direct weed control efforts, manual,
chemical or otherwise to eradicate these weeds from the plot before
establishing the new crop. Phytophthora Blight

Good soil tillage is an important second step in weed management Symptoms

since this operation dislodges and sometime bury difficult to kill
perennial weeds. This operation however spreads weed seeds and Affected leaves develop brown irregular spots about 1 - 4 mm.
bring to the soil surface millions of dormant ones buried in the soil. These spots are surrounded by yellow halos. Spots may merge with
other neighboring spots to form larger spots. Severely spotted leaves
The third step in good weed management therefore rests with the turn yellow and fall. Affected stems may develop brown patches
control of seedling weeds during the first 4 weeks after tillage or along its length, especially at the soil surface level. As the disease
after land clearing. Hand weeding can be used to control this early progresses, the entire stem decays at the soil level, causing death of
weed growth, however since it is very time consuming and costly the plant. This rot is called a collar rot as it occurs on the region of
the use of a pre-emergent herbicide or stale seedbed techniques will the stem often referred to as the
reduce costs. collar.

Weeds will continue to emerge during the life of the crop. In addi- Spread
tion to the measures outlined above, theses can be controlled by
mulching, correct spacing of crop and the application of a post- The disease is spread mainly by
emergent herbicide, e.g. Roundup, Gramoxone. It is important to wind, rain splash and surface run-
remember that weeds must be destroyed before they produce flow- off water. Transmission on the
ers, fruits and seeds. The rot on stems may occur at the
stem joints, resulting in death of the
plant above the affected area.
hands of agricultural workers is also an important means of spread. seedlings are pulled down into the soil. They may also cause uproot-
ing due to the tunneling activities. Mole Crickets also cause damage
Control by drying out the soil and feeding on the roots.

• Ensure there is good soil drainage in the entire field. Control

• Maintain good weed control practices
• Use crop rotation with crops not affected by this disease. Insecticide baits can be used which may be scattered or placed in the
• Keep fruits off the soil infested areas.
• Destroy crop residue, especially residue from infected plants.
• Spray with suitable fungicides. Cutworms

The adult are moths with varying colors and are active at night.
However, it is the larvae that cause the damage. The larvae may
vary in color from light gray to black and when fully grown reaches
Anthracnose about 1½ inches in length.

Symptoms
Symptoms
The damage occurs mainly to the seedling or small plants. The
This disease is mainly seen on ripe fruits, which develop soft circu- small larva in the initial stages feeds on the foliage, leaving small
lar slightly sunken necrotic spots with centrally placed rings of black irregular holes in the leaves. The fourth instar feeds under or
fungal fruiting bodies. slightly above ground and girdles the stem of the plant. The girdled
plant then topples and dies.

Control

• In cases where there is a history of this problem on the par-

ticular farm, a soil treatment should be done soon after plant-
ing in the late afternoon. In other locations where this prob-
lem is not frequent, spot treatment is more feasible.
Circular rings on the ripened fruit.
• Fields should be kept weed free
Spread
• When infestation is low, the larvae, which often lie resting
Use of infected seeds to establish a new crop is a major source of about on inch beneath the soil surface close to the plants cut
spread. Wind and rain splash are also agents of spread, especially the night before, can be uncovered and crushed.
when diseased fruits are not promptly destroyed.
• Use appropriate pesticides.
Control

• Use clean certified seeds.

• Crop rotation.
the adults but are smaller. • Destroy crop residue, especially from affected plants.
• Spray with suitable fungicides
Symptoms

The leafhopper causes hopper burn, although it is rare in pepper. Southern Blight
When this occurs, the tips and sides of the pepper leaves turn yellow
to brown and become brittle. Symptoms

Control Affected plants die from a sudden wilt, and are usually associated
with white fungal growth around the stems of these plants in the col-
• Remove infested plants. lar region (area of stem at soil surface level). The presence of white,
• Spray with suitable insecticides. cream or brown yeast-like beads may be
evident around the base of affected
plants as the disease progresses.
Pepper Stem Borer

Damage is done by the larvae of this insect, which is a beetle be-

longing to a group called Long-horned beetles or Longicorn Beetles.

The adult beetle has a “cylindrical grayish body” with hard shell-like
outer wings. The antennae are as long as the insect itself, and usu- Spread
ally curved backwards. The beetle is about ½ inch long. They are Note the matured tan brown
nocturnal and hide during the day. They make a squeaking sound Spread of this
sclerotia or yeast-like beads
when picked up. disease occurs on the bas of the affected
readily on farm
The larva is creamy white and has a brown head with well developed tools used in cultivation. Infected plant tissue left in the field is also
chewing mouth parts. a major source of disease spread.

The adult inserts its eggs into the plant stem. After hatching the lar-
vae enter the pith of the stem where they feed and develop. Control

Mole Cricket • Do not transplant seedlings affected by this disease.

Adults have well-developed wing covering ¾ of the abdomen when • Rogue and destroy diseased plants and the infected soil at the
held at rest. They fly at night, can run quickly, but are poor jumpers. base of the plant. Dispose of in a safe area on the farm that is
These insects have enlarged, shovel like legs modifies for digging. not being or will not be used for crop establishment.
The adults are cylindrical, 1½ inches long and dull brown in color.
The nymphs are similar to the adults but are wingless. • Spray with suitable fungicides.
Damage MITES

The mole cricket chews the lower stem, and at times, destroys the Mites
entire vegetable seedling from underground tunnels. As they eat, the
Symptoms The insect is covered with fine white scales that become easily
detached from the body if handled. They are usually present in
Affected plants may appear stunted. The leaves curve downward and larger numbers under the leaves of the pepper plant than at any
leaf size is greatly reduced. In severe cases, the terminal shoots ap- other location.
pear bronzed and new leaves become successively small and culmi-
nate with cessation of new leaf development. Fruit production is
greatly reduced and fruits may also be scarred. Symptoms

Control When the underside of the leaves are inspected in bright day light,
droplets of “honey dew” excreted by the adult fly are observed.
• Early weed control to remove alternative host before crop Since these are sucking insects they generally weaken the plants by
establishment. sucking sap, causing the leave to shrivel, turn yellow and droop.

• Do not establish new fields down-wind of old infested fields.

Control
• Spray with suitable acaricides
• Spray with suitable insecticides
• Crop rotation.
• Remove alternative host plants
INSECT PESTS

With sucking insects, the presence of the insects on the crop will be
more readily seen than the symptoms associated with damage in Thrips
many instances.
These insects are extremely small, with a slime body which is
Aphids colored yellowish brown or black. The nymphs have similar habits
as the adults, rasping and sucking sap from the plants.
These are small green, brown or black insects with or without wings
seen clustered on young shoots (stem and leaves). The wingless
forms are pear-shaped and measure about 1.5 mm. They possess long Symptoms
legs that are very distinct, and a pronounced head. When disturbed
all of the insects in the colony display a twitching body motion at fre- The leaves are distorted and curl upward giving a boat-like
quent intervals. appearance. The lower surface of the leaves develops a silvery
coloration that later assumes a bronze coloration.
Control
Control
Use appropriate insecticides - (see Whitefly)
Use appropriate insecticides.
Whitefly Leaf Hoppers

These are small white insects, usually 2-3 mm long. Each possess These are of various forms, colors and sizes which do not exceed 3
four wings with the two outer wings held horizontally while at rest. mm in length and fly quickly when disturbed. Nymphs resemble