Silvering of Solanaceous Crops
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Silvering occurs on bell peppers when cells adjacent to the cuticle in fruit separate causing a “silvered” appearance. It is considered a defect in fruit and can be a reason for fruit being rejected during times of excess supply. The severity of silvering can range from a small dime-size area on fruit to an area covering more than half of a fruit. It is related to variety; those varieties possessing strong resistance or tolerance to Phytophthora are more likely to exhibit this trait. There is also an environmental link to this disorder as it varies in severity from year to year.
Silvering in bell pepper fruit.
(Photo: UK Vegetable IPM Team)
