Assessment of Damping-Off Disease on Pepper (Capsicum annuum) Seedlings in Nurseries in Cross River State, South South Nigeria

Pepper (Capsicum annuum) seedling production in nurseries across Cross River State is a common practice among smallholder farmers preparing transplants for field establishment. Damping-off disease, characterised by seedling collapse at or below the soil surface, has been identified as a significant problem leading to erratic stand establishment and financial losses in nursery operations. This study evaluated the incidence of damping-off disease in 40 pepper nurseries across three local government areas in Cross River State during 2023. Symptomatic seedlings were sampled and subjected to laboratory isolation procedures, leading to the identification of Pythium aphanidermatum, Rhizoctonia solani, and Fusarium oxysporum as primary causal agents. Disease incidence in nurseries ranged from 18 to 56 percent, with the highest losses recorded in nurseries using unsterilised soil and located in shaded positions with poor drainage. The use of recycled nursery trays without disinfection was significantly associated with high damping-off incidence. Growers in the study area routinely used broad-spectrum insecticides rather than appropriate fungicides to manage nursery disease, indicating gaps in disease management knowledge. The findings emphasise the importance of using sterilised nursery substrate, adequate spacing, appropriate fungicide seed dressings, and nursery sanitation as practical preventive measures. The study provides data relevant to the improvement of pepper nursery management guidelines in South South Nigeria. Keywords: pepper, damping-off, Pythium, nursery, Cross River State.