Four mechanisms of dispersal of propagules of Phytophthora capsici wer
e investigated through modifications in cultural practices and fungici
de applications in field plots of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum). Dispe
rsal of soil inoculum was suppressed, and final incidence of disease w
as 2.5 to 43% when stubble from a fall-sown, no-till, wheat cover crop
was present. Final disease incidence was 71 to 72% and pathogen sprea
d occurred within and across rows when all dispersal mechanisms were o
perative in plots of pepper planted into bare soil. Final disease inci
dence was 42 to 78% with black plastic mulch when a sporulating pepper
fruit placed on the surface served as the source of initial inoculum.
The fungicide metalaxyl applied in the irrigation system did not supp
ress within-row spread of surface inoculum from a sporulating fruit on
plastic, but did limit across-row spread; final disease incidence in
metalaxyl-treated plots was 11.5 to 14%. Pathogen dispersal mechanisms
were modified most dramatically by the no-till cropping system. Thus,
simple changes in cultural practices can have dramatic effects on the
development of Phytophthora epidemics. Ecologically based disease man
agement strategies have the potential to reduce our reliance on agrich
emicals in this and similar pathosystems.