FUSARIUM STEM AND FRUIT ROT OF SWEET-PEPPER IN ONTARIO GREENHOUSES

The causal agent of a stem and fruit rot disease of greenhouse sweet p eppers was found to be Nectria haematococca (anamorph Fusarium solani) . It infected wounds caused by salt damage at the stem base and scars left by careless leaf removal and fruit picking. No fungicides were co nsidered suitable for field trials after in vitro screening; none is r egistered in Canada for sweet peppers. Very good control was achieved by scrupulous greenhouse hygiene and improved ventilation and nutritio n, and by clean-cutting leaves, axillary shoots and fruit with a sharp knife rather than breaking and tearing, which left very susceptible w ounds.