AsaaseYaaDamping-off
A soil fungus that makes young seedlings rot at the base and fall over.
When it comes
| Crop | Stage | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Establishment | Scout daily for first 2 weeks |
| Pepper | Establishment | Scout daily for first 2 weeks |
| Okra | Establishment | Scout daily for first 2 weeks |
What to look for
Check the seedlings every day for the first 2 weeks. Plants cut off at the base = cutworms come out at night. Plants wilting at soil level = a soil disease (damping-off) — pull and burn them. Tiny white flies under the leaves carry a bad virus that yellows and curls leaves; treat fast.
Young pepper is very fragile. Check every day for the first 2 weeks. Plants cut off at the base = cutworms (treat the soil). Plants wilting at soil level = a fungal disease — pull and burn them. Tiny green/black bugs in groups under leaves = aphids; they carry viruses, treat fast.
Young okra is fragile. Check every day for the first 2 weeks. Tiny holes chewed in the leaves = flea beetles. Small green/black bugs grouped under leaves = aphids. Spray neem extract early; seedlings cut at soil level wilting = damping-off, pull and burn them.
What to do
The plant is drooping
Either it is short of water, or a disease has blocked its stem.
- Feel the soil two knuckles deep. If it is dry, water now — the plant should stand up again by evening.
- If the soil is moist and the plant still droops in the cool morning, it may be bacterial wilt.
- For wilt: pull the plant out with its roots, take it away from the field and burn it.
Don’t: After wilt, do not plant tomato, pepper or garden eggs in that spot next season.
Also watch for
General advice from crop guides for Ghana. Before you spray, ask your agro-input dealer for a product registered for this pest, read the label, and wear gloves. For a serious attack, call your district agriculture office or an agronomist.
Catch it early
AsaaseYaa reminds you when to check your crop for pests, and shows you what to look for. Free.