Survey of anthracnose of chilli: A potential threat to chilli crop in major chilli growing districts of Madhya Pradesh

Abstract

Anthacnose disease of chilli is widely distributed and economically important disease which affects the crop at pre and post-harvest crop stages. Anthacnose is caused by Colletotrichum capsici which produce small, circular black spots with concentric rings of acervuli on fruit skin which turn the fruit black. An extensive survey was conducted in 16 selected locations of Barwani, Khargone, Jabalpur, Burhanpur, Dewas, Jhabua, Khandwa and Chhindwara districts of Madhya Pradesh during 2016-17 and 2017-18. Minimum anthracnose incidence was recorded in Jabalpur district (17.45%) followed by Chhindwara district (19.60%) and Khargone district (20.90%), while maximum disease incidence was recorded in Burhanpur district (28.90%) followed by Barwani district (24.15%) and Jhabua district (23.70%).