Pepino mosaic virus

Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) is a significant viral pathogen within the Potexvirus genus, known for causing severe economic damage to greenhouse-grown crops worldwide. This virus is characterized by its high stability, allowing it to survive on various surfaces, tools, and plant debris, making it a persistent challenge for commercial horticulture.

The primary host for this pathogen is the tomato plant, but it also affects other species within the Solanaceae family, including pepino, eggplant, peppers, and potatoes. Understanding the host range is critical for integrated pest management, as wild relatives of these plants can often act as asymptomatic reservoirs for the virus.

Visible symptoms vary depending on the plant cultivar and environmental conditions, often manifesting as foliar chlorosis, mosaic patterns, leaf distortion, and stunted growth. Fruit symptoms are particularly damaging to market value, frequently presenting as uneven ripening, blotchy discoloration, and surface pitting, which renders the produce non-marketable.

Transmission occurs primarily through mechanical means. The virus is easily spread via contaminated pruning tools, clothing, hands, and contact between foliage. Furthermore, studies suggest that bumblebees used for pollination and contaminated seed lots can serve as major vectors, facilitating the rapid spread of the pathogen across large growing facilities.

Management of the virus relies almost entirely on rigorous sanitation and prophylactic protocols. Key measures include:

• Strict disinfection of tools and equipment between rows.
• The use of high-quality, virus-free seeds and seedlings.
• Implementation of strict access control for greenhouses.
• Immediate removal and destruction of symptomatic plants.
• Comprehensive cleaning and disinfection of greenhouse structures during crop rotation.