Why Do My Peppers Have a Brown Crown on Them?

Phytophthora Blight

• Phytophthora blight occurs during infections with Phytophthora capsici fungus. This fungus travels through soil and infects peppers through the root or soil splashing. It occurs most frequently in the plant’s bottom18 inches. Once the fungus reaches the fruit, it causes lesions. It then also travels through the air as spores.

Symptoms

• Phytophthora blight causes lesions on both stems and fruit, with accompanying wilting and foliage death. Foliar and stem lesions appear on lower branches and may kill some seedlings immediately. Plants that survive that infection stage produce peppers with dark, sunken lesions on their crowns. These lesions rot in time and increase if the peppers hang close to the ground or touch the soil.

Treatment

• According to the North Carolina State University Department of Plant Pathology, there is no guaranteed treatment for this disease in peppers. Cornell University's Vegetable MD Online, suggests regular fungicide treatments to prevent and contain the fungus in home gardens. Cutting out and eliminating infected fruit or foliage further prevents spreading in the garden.

Prevention

• Careful planting and good maintenance for healthy plant growth are the best fungal infection prevention methods. Planting fungus-resistant pepper varieties away from tomatoes, potatoes, strawberries, eggplants and cucurbits avoids disease sharing and gives them fresh new soil. Put them in full sunshine with 18 to 24 inches of space between plants for air movement. Give them organic compost at planting for best nutrition. Mulching the soil prevents splashing during watering.