Chili leaf curl

Chili leaf curl is a devastating viral disease caused by members of the genus Begomovirus, which are transmitted by insect vectors. It significantly impacts the production of Solanaceous crops worldwide, often leading to total yield loss if not managed early in the season.

The disease primarily affects Chili peppers and Sweet peppers. While peppers are the most susceptible, the virus can also infect tomatoes and various weed species, which act as secondary hosts that keep the virus present in the ecosystem throughout the year.

Clinical signs include upward curling of leaves, crinkling, and mosaic-like yellowing. Infected plants exhibit stunted growth with shortened internodes. The severe physiological stress prevents proper flowering and fruit set, leading to deformed, undersized peppers that are not marketable.

The transmission is exclusively facilitated by the whitefly (Bemisia tabaci). These insects acquire the virus by feeding on infected plants and spread it rapidly to healthy crops. High temperatures and drought conditions create an environment where whitefly populations explode, leading to widespread infection.

Prevention and integrated pest management (IPM) are the only effective tools for control. Farmers should focus on reducing whitefly populations and creating physical barriers. Once a plant is infected, it cannot be cured and must be removed to prevent further spread within the field.

• Implement strict whitefly monitoring using yellow sticky traps.
• Select resistant or tolerant pepper varieties for planting.
• Utilize insect-proof screen houses in greenhouses.
• Remove and rogue symptomatic plants immediately upon detection.
• Maintain weed-free field borders to eliminate host reservoirs.