Effect of Luna sensation Fungicide Against Powdery Mildew (Leveillula taurica) of Pepper(Capsicum spp.) in Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia

Abstract

Pepper has been grown as important spice and vegetable in the country and has gained economical and traditional importance. Currently, outbreak of powdery mildew caused by the fungus (Leveillula taurica) is occurring in major pepper producing areas of Ethiopia, causing a significant decline in quantity and quality of pepper yield.   Field experiments were conducted in Ethiopia to evaluate the effect of Luna sensation against pepper powdery mildew(Leveillula taurica). Luna sensation significantly reduced the population powdery mildew, mean wilt incidence, percent severity index, and corresponding areas of disease incidence, in marakofana pepper cultivar. Similarly, Bayleton resulted in a significant reduction of mean disease incidence and percent severity index, and Leveillula taurica population compared to unsprayed check in marakofana pepper cultivar. both Luna sensation and Bayleton increased fruit quality and  yield when compared with untreated check. mean yield, dry weight, fresh weight, marketable and unmarketable fruit weight,  total pod number and yield loss per plot are significantly different among Luna sensation, bayleton and unsprayed check.

Keywords: powdery mildew; Leveillula taurica; Luna sensation; Bayleton; Pepper (marakofana); and unsprayed check