Phytophthora capsici is an economically significant oomycete plant pathogen that impacts production of several crops worldwide, especially solanaceous and cucurbitaceous vegetable crops. With adequate moisture, this pathogen causes Phytophthora blight, which affects all aboveground and belowground parts of susceptible hosts [1]. Under conducive environmental conditions, P. capsici can cause up to 50% yield loss on chile pepper (Capsicum annuum), an economically important crop in the Southwest United States [2].
Hemibiotrophic in nature, P. capsici establishes infection through haustoria-like structures and intercellular hyphael growth and initiates host cell-death within 48 h of successful colonization [3]. Current management of this pathogen, including the use of fungicides and tolerant cultivars, is limited in terms of reducing Phytophthora blight due to the significant amount of genetic diversity in populations of P. capsici, and the ability of the pathogen to rapidly produce large numbers of propagules on infected plants [1]. Exploration and identification of new approaches, such as induced resistance, are continually needed to reduce the impact of P. capsici on various crops.
Give the experiment information and discuss about the efficacy testing
of novel organic fungicides and elicitors: from the lab to the field.