Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory Department of Plant Pathology, CSKHPKV, Palampur – 176 062
National Symposium on Strategic Issues in Plant Pathological Research held at Department of Plant Pathology, CSK HP Krishi Vishvavidayalaya, Palampur on November 24–25, 2011
Poly-house surveys of bell pepper crop in five districts of Himachal Pradesh viz., Kangra, Mandi, Kullu, Hamirpur and Bilaspur conducted during April- October, 2011 have revealed the presence of different virus diseases in variable proportions. The disease incidence ranged between 2.0 to 55.0 per cent with a maximum of 55.00% in district Bilaspur followed by Kangra (25.0%), however, the district average incidence was between 3.8 to 15.4%. The major disease symptoms in various polyhouses were in the form of are mosaic, mottle, chlorosis, upward or down ward curling of the leaves, deformation and reduction of leaf & leaf lemma alongwith stunting of infected plants in some areas. The observation on vector infestation showed presence of aphids, whiteflies and thrips etc. responsible for spread of virus diseases. The viral nature of the pathogen and identity of the viruses associated with the disease was established by mechanical inoculations and DAS-ELISA technique of serology using virus specific commercial kits (BIOREBA & SEDIAG). In different poly houses seven viruses namely TSWV (GBNV), PVMV, PMMOV, TYLCV, PVY, CMV and TMV. TSWV (GBNV) & CMV were recorded in all districts, however, TMV was restricted to district Hamirpur.
