Abstract

Abdel-Monaim M.F., Abdel-Gaid M.A. and Zayan S.A

Root rot and wilt caused by Fusarium solani and F. oxysporum, are the most important diseases of pepper in Egypt. The possibility to reduce disease severity using some organic compounds viz. Humic acid, Inicium, Bio-Health, Alga Grow-4 and Effective Microorganisms (EM1) was investigated on two pepper cultivars (Long Red Cayenne and California Wonder) under greenhouse and field experiments. Pepper transplanting treated with Humic acid followed by Inicium was the highest efficient in reducing area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) compared with to the other treatments under green house and field conditions. While, pepper transplanting treated with Alga Grow-4 and EM1 recorded the lowest reduction in area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) in this respect. On the other hand, all treatments significantly improved plant growth (plant height and number of branches plant-1 ) and yield parameters (fruit height, fruit diameter, fruit weight plant-1 , No. of fruits plant-1 , pod weight and total yield feddan-1 (Kg) in both cultivars during growing seasons (2010-2011 and 2011-2012). Humic acid and Inicium were the most effective in improving plant growth and yield parameters. On the contrary pepper transplanting treated with Alga Grow4 and EM1 gave the lowest increased of these parameters in both cultivars during growing seasons.