Influence of mycorrhizal inoculation on disease severity and growth of pepper ( capsicum annum linn.)

Greenhouse experiment was carried out to investigate the disease severity caused by Phytophthora infestans and how it was suppressed by Glomus etunicatum (mycorrhiza) with its attendant growth effect on Capsicum annum (pepper). Glomus etunicatum (mycorrhiza) greatly reduced the disease severity effect of Phytophthora infestans (pathogen) on pepper seedlings with significant influence on all growth parameters of pepper. Inoculating pepper seedlings with pathogen alone or before inoculating mycorrhiza reduced their height compared to simultaneous and dual inoculations with mycorrhiza. Effect of pathogen was severe on the influorescence of pepper plants while those inoculated with mycorrhiza had the highest flowering and fruiting values. However, when pathogen and mycorrhiza were inoculated either simultaneously or dually, the effect of pathogen was highly suppressed. Also, there was increase in the number of leaves of pepper plants inoculated with mycorrhiza alone than those inoculated with pathogen alone. Results obtained showed that inoculation of Glomus etunicatum before Phytophthora infestans inoculation into pepper seedlings increased their resistance and suppressed the effect of pathogenic infection.