Pepper golden mosaic virus

Pepper golden mosaic virus (PepGMV) is a destructive plant pathogen belonging to the genus Begomovirus within the Geminiviridae family. It is a DNA virus that significantly impacts vegetable production, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions where the environmental conditions favor its primary vector.

The primary hosts for this virus are solanaceous crops, including bell peppers, chili peppers, and tomatoes. The disease is identified by symptoms such as brilliant yellow mosaic patterns on leaves, stunted plant growth, leaf curling, and severe distortion of fruits, which leads to substantial economic losses for farmers.

The biology of the virus relies entirely on the silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia tabaci). The virus is transmitted in a persistent, circulative manner. Once the whitefly feeds on an infected plant, the virus moves through its digestive tract into the salivary glands, making the insect a permanent vector capable of infecting new plants.

Environmental conditions characterized by high temperatures and low humidity accelerate the population growth of whiteflies, thereby increasing the rate of viral spread. These conditions create an ideal scenario for outbreaks, making the virus a major limiting factor for outdoor and greenhouse pepper production systems.

Integrated pest management (IPM) is essential for controlling PepGMV. Strategies must focus on reducing whitefly populations and eliminating viral reservoirs.

• Selection of virus-resistant or tolerant cultivars.
• Strict sanitation to remove host weeds and infected plant debris.
• Use of fine-mesh screens in greenhouses to prevent vector entry.
• Application of selective insecticides to manage whitefly populations.
• Implementation of crop rotation to break the cycle of the vector.