Seed Transmission of Colletotrichum capsici on Pepper (Capsicum spp.)

Abstract

Histopathological studies on seed transmission of Colletotrichum capsici on pepper indicated that thefungus had two pathwaysof invasion. First, the fungal mycelium in the inner surface of diseased fruit invaded seed through the seed coat and colonized in the outer layer of endosperm. Second, the fungus infected the remnant of placenta, entered through the openning of testa and established itself in this area, or invaded the outer layer of endosperm. The fungus was found in the seedcoat by using the blotter and agar methods. The results from plating of various parts dissected from infected seed supported the above observation. In seeding testusing soil, the fungus caused root rot of seedings and readily spread to healthy ones.