The Facts About Phytophthora Blight (PDF)

Phytophthora blight (caused by Phytophthora capsici) is a devastating disease of vegetable crops in New York State, including peppers, all cucurbits (squash, pumpkins, cucumbers), tomatoes and eggplants. P. capsici readily produces tough, overwintering oospores which can survive in the soil for many years, and under wet conditions the pathogen can spread rapidly through a field, causing rapid wilting and death of plants and “melting” of fruit. With the ultimate goal of providing New York State growers with better information for controlling Phytophthora blight and preventing crop losses, we have undertaken a variety of projects on the biology and control of P. capsici.