Pepper plant diseases can be a major nuisance and can occur almost anywhere in the world. Planting disease-resistant crops is a helpful strategy to mitigate these issues, as they significantly increase the chances of a successful crop.
One common disease is bacterial leaf spot, which manifests as dark spots on the foliage and occasionally on the fruits. This can have a detrimental impact on overall yields and the usability of the fruits. Disease-resistant pepper varieties are primarily hybrid F1 hybrids. Breeders specifically crossbreed peppers to incorporate disease-resistant traits into new varieties. It’s worth noting that hybrid seeds are generally more expensive due to the additional resources involved in their production, and they cannot be saved for future use, leading to higher costs.
Below are some disease-resistant varieties categorized by pepper type:
Disease-resistant bell pepper varieties
- Ninja S10 Hybrid: This red bell pepper variety resists all bacterial leaf spot races (0-10) and tobacco mosaic virus bacteria.
- Super Heavyweight: A large yellow bell pepper with disease resistance against potato virus Y and tobacco mosaic virus.
- Alliance: Another red bell pepper with broad disease resistance, including cucumber mosaic virus, bacterial leaf spot, Pepper model virus, potato virus Y, pepper yellow, and tobacco mosaic virus.
Disease-resistant jalapeño varieties
- Goliath: This jalapeño variety exhibits resistance to tobacco mosaic virus and potato virus, and it offers large-sized, perfectly flavored pods with a desirable heat level.
- Jala Fuego: This jalapeño variety has a higher heat level and produces numerous peppers on a vigorous, large plant throughout the season.
Other disease-resistant varieties
- Jimmy Nardello: A fast-growing pepper plant with early harvesting, minimal disease issues, and a flavor similar to regular red bell pepper.
- Banana Goddess: A hybrid F1 variety with claimed resistance to bacterial leaf spot races 1-3.
- Numex Big Gym: One of the Hatch Green Chili varieties, known for strong disease resistance, even with direct contact to soil and windstorms.
Preventing Diseases
- Bottom pruning: Remove the foliage from the bottom 6 to 12 inches of the plant (depending on its size) to prevent soil splashing and the introduction of soil-borne pathogens.
- Mulching: Place mulch, such as grass clippings, straw, compost, or leaf mulch, around the base of the plants to minimize rainfall or irrigation impact and reduce soil splashing.
- Hygiene: Maintain good hygiene practices by consistently cleaning your gardening tools, using rubbing alcohol when necessary, and washing your hands before entering the garden.
Implementing these strategies can help safeguard your pepper plants against diseases and promote healthier growth.
