Abstract:
Production and productivity of red pepper is highly threatened by different biotic and abiotic factors. Among
biotic factors, disease is the most important factor that affects red pepper production in the world wide including
Ethiopia. However, the relative distribution and severity of each disease across district has not been well identified
to sound management strategies. Therefore, a survey was conducted which aimed to determine the prevalence,
incidence and severity of major red pepper disease and investigate the association of disease parameters with
crop management practices. A total of 120 farmers’ fields were randomly sampled from three districts namely
West Denbiya, Esat Denbiya and Takusa in central Gondar zone of Amhara region during 2017 and 2018 cropping
seasons. Disease incidence and severity varied across and within districts. Phytophthora root rot, Fusarium wilt,
Bacterial leaf spot, Powdery mildew, Anthracnose, Cercospora leaf spot and Downy mildew were the most
dominant and frequently occurring diseases of red pepper. Variables such as altitude, varieties, seed bed types,
planting time and cropping pattern were significantly associated red pepper disease. Two years surveyed data
were collected, analyzed and expressed using percentage. Among all surveyed districts, the findings indicated
that the dominant red pepper disease severity were recorded from Phytophtora root rot (37.2%), Fusarium wilt
(32.8%) and Powdery mildew (25.0%) whereas the minimum severity were recorded from bacterial leaf spot (12.8%)
and Cercospora leaf spot (14.5%). The present study provides an indication of the prevalence, incidence and
severity of red pepper disease on which integrated management strategies could be derived to improve red
pepper production in the surveyed districts.
