Characteristics and control of viruses infecting peppers : a literature review

Of these, more than half are transmitted by aphids. The other viruses are transmitted by nematodes, thrips, leafhoppers, whiteflies, beetles, and fungi. Several are transmitted by contact and/or through the soil by mechanisms not yet understood. Most pepper viruses are distributed worldwide, with the exception of chili veinal mottle virus, pepper severe mosaic virus, pepper veinal mottle virus, pepper mild mosaic virus, and pepper mottle virus, which have been reported only in certain geographic areas. Virus-infected peppers generally exhibit a variety of symptoms, the most common of which are mosaic, mottle, necrosis, and leaf distortion. Many of these viruses cause considerable yield losses. In this report, the literature on some 45 pepper viruses is reviewed, stressing their geographic distribution, the disease syndrome, vectors, diagnosis, and control. A general overview of pepper viruses -- their morphological characteristics, vector transmission, and geographic distribution -- is given in Appendix Table 1. Viruses reported from Asian countries are presented in Appendix Table 2. The diagnostic host species of some common pepper viruses are listed in Appendix Table 3. Electron micrographs of the different virus groups are shown in Appendix Figures 3 and 4. (Author abstract, modified)