First Report on the Prevalence of Colletotrichum scovillei Associated with Anthracnose on Chili Pepper in Bali, Indonesia

Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum spp. is one of important constrains for chili production in Indonesia. The disease may cause significant yield loses of economic importance. Variation in disease incidence and intensity frequently occur because of the variation in chili cultivar, cultural practices, weather condition, localities and species of Colletotrichum. This study was conducted to evaluate the incidence of anthracnose disease on chili pepper in 9 regencies in Bali and species of Colletotrichum associated with anthracnose on chili pepper in Bali Island, Indonesia. Survey for disease incidence and intensity was conducted during March to April 2018. Two chili growing areas were surveyed in each regency. Anthracnose disease was found in all the chili growing areas in Bali. The average for anthracnose disease incidence was 63% while the average disease intensity was 68%. Two cultivars of chili pepper that commonly grown by the farmers in Bali namely “Cabe Rawit” with small fruit and hot taste and “Cabe Besar” with relatively bigger fruit and less hot taste showed different tolerance to anthracnose disease. The disease incidence on Cabe Rawit was relatively lower when compared to Cabe Besar in which the average disease incidence and disease intensity for Cabe Rawit were 59% and 64%, respectively, while that of Cabe Besar were 70% and 76%, respectively. Six species of Colletotrichum were identified based on the analysis of 18S rRNA gene. Among 18 isolates, 10 isolates (55.55%) were identified as C. scovillei, 2 isolates (11.11%) were C. acutatum, 2 isolates (11.11%) were C. gloeosporioides, 2 isolates were C. nymphaeae and one isolate each was identified as C. fructicola and C. truncatum. Results of present study revealed that C. scovillei is the most prevalent species that associated with anthracnose disease in Bali, Indonesia. This is the first report on the prevalence of C. scovillei associated with anthracnose disease in chili pepper in Bali Indonesia. © 2019 Friends Science Publishers