Integrated Pest & Disease Management Guide

Network of yellow veins on leaves, leaf thickening, stunted growth, and yellowish-white fibrous fruits unfit for market sale.

Transmitted predominantly by the Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci).

Install yellow sticky traps (15–20/acre). Spray Acetamiprid 20% SP @ 0.5g/L or Diafenthiuron 50% WP @ 1g/L to check whitefly populations early.

Severe upward curling, cupping, yellowing of leaf margins, reduced leaf blade size, and drastic drop in fruit set.

Spread rapidly by whiteflies under warm, humid conditions.

Raise seedlings under 40-mesh insect net tunnels. Foliar spray of Thiamethoxam 25% WG @ 0.3g/L or Cyantraniliprole 10.26% OD @ 1.8ml/L at nursery and vegetative stages.

Rapid wilting of entire plant foliage while leaves remain green. Vascular browning visible inside the cut stem, producing milky bacterial streaming in water.

Soil-borne bacterium; penetrates through root injuries or nematode wounds.

Soil application of Pseudomonas fluorescens or Trichoderma viride (2.5 kg/acre with FYM). Avoid waterlogging and rotate with non-solanaceous crops.

Upward leaf curling (boat-shaped) from thrips; downward curling (inverted cup) with brittle leaves from broad mites. Bud drop and stunted terminal shoots.

Chilli thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis) and yellow mites (Polyphagotarsonemus latus).

Install blue sticky traps for thrips. Spray Fipronil 5% SC @ 2ml/L for thrips, or Spiromesifen 22.9% SC @ 1ml/L for mites. Alternate chemicals to prevent resistance.

Angular chlorotic yellow lesions on the upper leaf surface with purplish-grey fungal growth beneath (Downy), or white talcum-like patches across leaf surfaces (Powdery).

Air-borne spores proliferating during high morning humidity or cloudy weather.

Spray Cymoxanil 8% + Mancozeb 64% WP @ 2g/L for Downy Mildew; spray Azoxystrobin 18.2% + Difenoconazole 11.4% SC @ 1ml/L for Powdery Mildew.

V-shaped yellow chlorotic lesions starting at leaf margins with blackened leaf veins. Heads fail to develop firmness and rot from the base.

Seed-borne and rain-splashed bacterium entering through leaf hydathodes.

Hot water seed treatment (50°C for 30 minutes). Spray Copper Oxychloride 50% WP @ 2.5g/L mixed with Streptocycline @ 0.1g/L at first sign of symptoms.