Pepper yellow spot virus

Orthotospovirus capsiciflavi is a serious viral pathogen classified under the Orthotospovirus genus. This disease poses a significant threat to agriculture, specifically targeting solanaceous crops and leading to substantial economic losses due to plant decline and yield reduction.

The primary host for this virus is the pepper plant (Capsicum annuum). However, the virus also survives in various weed species, which act as reservoirs and bridges for the infection to move into cultivated fields at the start of each growing season.

Symptoms of the infection typically include chlorotic spotting, characteristic ring patterns on leaves, and stunted growth. As the disease progresses, plants may exhibit severe leaf deformation, necrosis, and premature dropping of flowers and fruits, significantly impacting total productivity.

Transmission of the virus is exclusively mediated by thrips. These insects acquire the virus by feeding on infected plants and subsequently transmit it to healthy ones. Because the virus can persist within the vector, thrips remain efficient transmitters for their entire lifespan.

Effective management and prevention strategies include:

• Aggressive monitoring and control of thrips populations using insecticides.
• Sourcing certified, virus-free seeds and transplants.
• Sanitation practices, including the removal of weeds around greenhouses and fields.
• Crop rotation to reduce the buildup of virus inoculum in the soil.
• Rogueing of symptomatic plants to minimize secondary spread within the crop.