INSECT TRANSMITTED VIRUSES OF PEPPERS: A REVIEW

Chilli, Capsicum annum Linn. is vulnerable to an array of viruses. So far 82 viruses proved infectivity on capsicum either as natural or artificial infection, among them 13 have been classified as poty-, potex-, cucumo-, tobamo-, tospo-, nepo-, Carla- and geminiviruses, transmitted mostly through aphids, thrips, whitefly and nematodes. The disease symptoms produced in the host exhibit specific symptomology. There is a need to survey and characterize new viruses infecting pepper to develop strategic management programme in future, Emphasis must be given to use molecular tools for virus characterization and strengthening the conventional breeding programme to develop virus resistant pepper varieties.