4 ref.

The hot pepper has a tremendous potential as a crop for both the local and the export market. Disease problems are serious constraints to successful production and marketing of this product. Pre-harvest disease problems over the years have contributed to the lack of adequate and regular supply and increased prices on the local market. It is, therefore, of crucial importance that the farmers be aware of disease problems that affect hot pepper production; what are the causes of these diseases; what are their symptoms; and how they are spread, in order that these diseases be properly managed and controlled. The Department of Plant Pathology, Crop Protection Sub-Division, Ministry of Food Production, Marine Exploitation, Forestry and the Environment at Centeno, has been investigating the diseases of hot peppers over a number of years. A number of diseases has been encountered by the Department in fields in Trinidad and Tobago. These diseases are as follows: (1) bacterial leaf spot; (2) anthracnose; (3) southern blight; (4) collar rot; (5) mosaic; and (6) sun scald