Evaluation of Anthracnose Forecaster of an Integrated Pest Management System on Hot Pepper in the Fields

Field trials were conducted in Suwon, Andong, Bongwha and Taean to evaluate an anthracnose forecaster in the integrated pest management system (IPM) including anthracnose, Phytophthora blight and tobacco budworm for hot pepper in 2008-2009. Percentage of diseased fruits by pepper anthracnose and yield were compared among three treatments, no-fungicide, forecaster and conventional. The incidence and yield of the forecaster at Bongwha on two varieties were 3.1-3.5% and 30-33 kg/40 plants. These were little less than those of the conventional`s 0.3-0.8% and 35-36 kg/40 plants and much higher than those of the no-fungicide`s 23-27% and 18-24 kg/40 plants. The number of spray at the forecaster was 5 times, whereas those at the conventional was 11-19 times depending on the farmers. In addition, the results of an anthracnose forecaster at the other three field trials allowed in protecting hot pepper from anthracnose while reducing the amount of pesticides used and the total cost of the pathogen control. However, it is needed to improve for anthracnose forecaster when anthracnose pressure was high such as Taean where 60-80% of the incidence. Because the control values of the forecaster at Taean were between those of no-pesticide and conventional treatment at best. If anthracnose is severe early in the season, additional preventive control should be considered when the fruits were fully grown yet.