Effective Method of Inoculation, Virulence, Age of Susceptibility Against Colletotrichum capsici (Syd.) Butler and Bisby Causing Anthracnose of Chill (Capsicum annuum L.)

Collectotrichum capsici an incitant of anthracnose of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) collected from different part of Tamil Nadu were assayed for their virulence, age of susceptibility of fruits and method of inoculation. The pathogen C. capsici isolate 1 caused the maximum fruit rot intensity of 72.27 per cent, while C. capsici isolate 9 showed least intensity of 2.93 per cent. The four methods of inoculation were tested under in vitro condition to assess the effectiveness of infection. Among the various methods of inoculation, Spray spore suspension after pinpricking the fruits method was enabled the maximum infection. Chilli fruits at six different ages viz., 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 days were used to found the stage of susceptibility by the inoculation with virulent isolate of C. capsici under in vitro. Twenty five day old fruits were the most susceptible to the disease and ideal for artificial inoculation, while 5, 10, 15 and 20 day old green fruits were not infected by the pathogens.