Phytophthora & Pythium

Figure 1 - Phytophthora blight symptoms first appear aslarge water-soaked lesions on the leaves. Leaves die and fall off the plant. Brown stem lesions and white powdery areas on stems are characteristic. Pods show white mycelial growth.

Figure 2 - Pods infected with P. capsici shrivel and become dry and leathery.

Figure 3 - Pythium species may infect planted seeds prior to germination, germinating seedlings, young plants, or older plants during flowering and pod stages. Symptoms appear as water-soaked areas on the hypocotyls and main root system which may extend above ground.

Figure 4 - The water soaked area eventually dries out, becomes somewhat sunken, tan to brown in color, and plants then wilt and die.

Figure 5 - Pods in contact with soil may become infected by Pythium, exhibiting water-soaking and fluffy white fungal growth (cottony leak).