Pepper mild tigré virus

Pepper mild tigré virus (PMTV) is a plant pathogen that primarily affects Capsicum species, including various types of peppers. It is known for causing the disease known as pepper mild tigré, which is characterized by mottling and distortion of leaves, leading to reduced plant vigor and yield. The virus belongs to the genus Tospovirus within the family Bunyaviridae. PMTV is transmitted by thrips, specifically the species Frankliniella occidentalis (western flower thrips), in a persistent manner. The management of PMTV involves integrated pest management strategies focusing on controlling thrip populations, using resistant pepper varieties, and practicing good agricultural hygiene.

Symptoms

Pepper plants infected with PMTV exhibit a range of symptoms including but not limited to:

• Mottling and yellowing of leaves
• Distorted leaf growth
• Stunted plant growth
• Reduced fruit yield

The severity of symptoms can vary based on the pepper variety, the age of the plant at the time of infection, and environmental conditions.

Transmission

PMTV is transmitted by thrips in a persistent manner. The virus is acquired by the larvae of the thrips, which remain infectious throughout their lifespan. The virus cannot be transmitted through seeds or mechanical damage. Controlling the population of thrips is crucial in managing the spread of PMTV.

Management

Management of PMTV focuses on several key strategies:

• Cultural Controls: Implementing crop rotation and removing infected plant debris to reduce thrips populations.
• Biological Controls: Utilizing natural predators of thrips, such as predatory mites and lacewings.
• Chemical Controls: Applying insecticides judiciously to control thrips populations. It is important to rotate chemical classes to prevent resistance development.
• Resistant Varieties: Planting pepper varieties that are resistant or tolerant to PMTV can significantly reduce disease impact.

Prevention

Preventive measures against PMTV include:

• Monitoring thrips populations and applying control measures promptly.
• Using physical barriers, such as insect netting, to prevent thrips from accessing plants.
• Practicing good sanitation by removing and destroying infected plant material.

See Also

• Capsicum
• Tospovirus
• Bunyaviridae
• Frankliniella occidentalis
• Plant pathology
• Integrated pest management