Surveys of polyhouse grown Capsicum in Pune for virus diseases was carried during 2000–2001. A variety of symptoms were observed in these polyhouse grown Capsicum plants. The common symptoms observed were: stunting, general yellowing of plants, leaf deformation, reduced size of newly developed leaves, systemic mosaic mottling, vein-banding, vein clearing, blistering and filiform leaves. Symptoms on fruit were reduction in size, discolouration, streaks and blistering. Occurrence of four viruses viz., cucumber mosaic cucumovirus (CMV), Potato Y (PVY), tobacco etch (TEV) and pepper veinal mottle (PVMV) potyviruses were recorded on the basis of symptom diagnosis, mechanical transmission, reaction on selected test plants and serological relationship by DAS-ELISA, The most prevalent virus was CMV followed by PVY, PVMV and TEV. The study also revealed that these viruses could infect Capsicum plants alone or in combination. PVMV and TEV were detected for the first time in Capsicum from Maharashtra.
