Study on Dry Heat Treatment of Colletotrichum on Chili Pepper

Objective The effects of dry heat treatment on dominant species of Colletotrichum-C.truncatum and C. acutatum on chili pepper were explored.

Method By setting different temperatures and time, the growth status of mycelia and spores of C.truncatum and C.acutatum in vitro and the germination potential and germination rate of chili pepper seeds under different dry heat treatments were determined and analyzed.

Result The inhibition rate of mycelia and spores growth of the two Colletotrichum species could reach 100% when they were dried at 55℃ for 1 h.Meanwhile, chili pepper seeds under treatment at 55-66℃ for 1-24 h could effectively increase seedling emergence rate.

Conclusion The growth of Colletotrichum could be effectively inhibited and the germination rate of chili pepper seeds could be improved under this dry heat treatment condition (at a combined interval of 55-66℃ and 1-24 h).The dry heat treatment conditions screened by the current study can provide reference basis for the control of vegetable seeds borne fungi, especially Colletotrichum.