Distribution, epidemiology, Detection and mnagement of Pepper veinal mottle virus in bell pepper crop from Himachal Pradesh

Veinal mottle disease of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) poses a serious threat to the cultivation of this crop in India. The disease was found to be associated with aphid transmitted potyvirus. Serological and molecular studies revealed its close relationship with the pepper veinal mottle virus (PVMV). The effect of the disease in terms of loss in fruit yield was found to be highest when infected at an early stage of plant growth. A regression approach was adopted to consider the relationship of aphid vector populations with weather conditions and disease spread which explained that different conducive weather factors facilitated the buildup of aphid populations and contributed to the spread of disease. Different management strategies including cultural and chemical were adopted and observed to reduce the incidence of disease significantly.