Avvizzimenti su peperone causati da Fusarium solani in Italia centrale.

A wilt disease was observed on pepper plants during the summer 1999 in some fields located in central Italy (Latium and Umbria). The disease was initially characterized by withering and chlorosis of leaves. Subsequently, affected plants suddenly wilted and died. The infected plants also showed a marked reduction of root system and a blackish, depressed zone at the collar. Disease incidence was very high (90%) in Latium field and low (1-2%) in Umbrian field. Attacks were observed on the cv Quadrato d'Asti (Latium) and on the cv Helder and cv PS 600 (Umbria) respectively. Fusarium spp. were consistently isolated from roots and stem collar zone of diseased pepper plants. One isolate from Latium and one from Umbria were selected for the identification. At present, only the isolate from Latium was identified as F.solani Mart. Sacc. and it was found to be pathogenic on pepper (cv Early Calwonder). F.solani is a soil-borne pathogen whose inoculum increases in soils cultivated with solanaceous crops. Therefore a satisfactory control of the disease may be obtained by long-term crop rotation with nonsusceptible hosts and by removal and destruction of affected crop debris. Although soil fumigation can efficiently control the disease, it is an expensive method for using in open field conditions. Further investigations are in progress to identify the Umbrian isolate and to explain some aspects of this pepper Fusarium wilt.