Fusarium Wilt in Hot Pepper: Biology, Diagnostics, Pathogenicity and Sustainable Management Strategies

ABSTRACT Hot pepper is a vital crop in Ethiopia and worldwide, valued for its pungency and as a source of income for stallholder farmers. However, production is severely impacted by Fusarium wilt, leading to yield losses ranging from 10% to 80% and significant economic damage, estimated at $65.3 billion globally. In Ethiopia, Fusarium wilt is widespread, with an incidence rate of 86.6% and yield losses reaching up to 80%. The pathogen blooms in warm, humid conditions, with optimal growth at 25°C and pH 7.0. It infects plants through roots, colonising the xylem and leading to wilting and plant death. The disease spreads through contaminated soil, water, farming tools, and infected seeds, making it difficult to control. Timely and precise diagnosis using morphological features (such as colony colour, shape, and spore structure) and molecular techniques (like PCR targeting and sequencing EF‐1α and rpb2 genes, and additional genetic markers acl1 , tub2 , CaM , and rpb1 ) are essential to design effective management options. The pathogen's virulence is driven by toxin production, cell wall‐degrading enzymes, and effector proteins that suppress plant immunity. Management includes cultural practices, biocontrol, and fungicides, though resistance is a concern. Integrated disease management (IDM), combining these approaches, offers sustainable control of Fusarium wilt. Modern biotechnological tools such as gene editing (CRISPR‐Cas9) and RNA interference (RNAi) offer promising solutions but remain underutilised. Although there are identified resistant genotypes, adoption remains limited. This review emphasises the importance of integrated management and multi‐omics approaches to improve resistance breeding, along with advocating for farmer education and policy support to reduce crop losses.