T. Vancheva1, S. Masheva2*, D. Ganeva2, N. Bogatzevska3

1Biological Faculty, Sofia University, 8 Dragan Tsankov, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
2Vegetable Crops Research Institute Maritsa, 32 Brezovsko shose, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
3Institute of Soil Science, Agrotechnologies and Plant Protection, Nikola Pushkarov, 7 Shosse Bankya, 1331 Sofia, Bulgaria

(Manuscript received 8 September 2015; accepted for publication 26 January 2016)

Abstract. Bacterial spot in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is caused by Xanthomonas euvesicatoria and X. vesicatoria. The natural Bulgarian population of X. vesicatoria belongs to pepper-tomato pathotypes (PT), whereas Macedonian population of X. euvesicatoria refers to pepper pathotypes (P). Bacterial spot of pepper caused by X. vesicatoria and X. euvesicatoria has become a very serious disease in Bulgaria during the past few years. The use of resistant pepper cultivars is the most economically and technically efficient method for control. Pepper varieties with immune and/or resistant reaction were not found in this study. Moderately susceptible to both pathogens were the following varieties: Kapia UV-Vertus, Sofijska kapia and Familiya of Kapia type, Quadrato D”Asti Giallo of Dolma type and Chorbadzhiyski of long pungent fruits. All varieties with cone-shaped fruits and the ones for sweet powder performed with highly susceptible reaction to X. еuvesicatoria.