Diseases of pepper (
Pepper mottle virus
Pepper mottle virus is transmitted by aphids from infected hosts, particularly weeds such as Datura and nightshade. In the past the virus has been introduced into pepper growing areas on infected transplants, then spreads to nearby weeds which act as reservoirs for the virus. The virus is not seed borne. Symptoms of infection on pepper include mottle and puckering of leaves and misshapen fruit (photo 1). Heavily infected plants may be stunted and fruit yields reduced. Disease can be controlled by using clean planting material and by destroying weed hosts near fields. There are no resistant varieties of pepper, and insect control does not prevent the disease.
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February 24, 2003