The Capsicum spp. (pepper and green pepper) rust is caused by the fungus Puccinia pampeana. This is an important disease in these crops which may cause complete losses in crops of several species of Capsicum. Although specific to the genus Capsicum, and despite the fact that many species within this genus are susceptible to rust, some of them have shown a hypersensitivity reaction. That was the case with Capsicum annuum (Cayenne pepper) and C. chinense (datil pepper), which, after spermogonia formation (11 days), showed necrotic spots in the peripheral region of the spermogonia 15 days after inoculation, without evolution of the infection. A milder hypersensitivity reaction was also observed only in leaves of C. annuum (chili pepper) and C. baccatum ("chapéu-de-frade"). With regard to other solanaceous plants inoculated ("jiló" and eggplant), no symptoms or signs of infection were observed.
Capsicum rust; varieties; hypersensitive reaction
