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Oomycete (water mould)Severity: High
Phytophthora Blight
Phytophthora capsici / Phytophthora melonis
Symptoms
Dark, water-soaked rot on stems, crowns and fruit that touch wet soil, often with a white mouldy bloom in humid weather. Plants wilt rapidly and fruit collapses into a soft, sunken rot.
Prevention
Plant on raised, well-drained beds with plastic mulch to keep fruit off wet soil. Avoid overhead irrigation and never let water pool around the crown.
Treatment
Organic
Drench soil with Trichoderma and remove infected plants with their soil at once. Improve drainage immediately to halt spread in wet weather.
Chemical (last resort)
Apply metalaxyl, cymoxanil or a phosphonate at first symptoms and protect healthy plants. Rotate oomycete-specific groups and observe PHI.
Affects 1 crop
Sources
MARDI Vegetable Disease Guide; DOA IPM Manual