Prevalence of chilli leaf curl disease in Punjab

Roving surveys of major chilli growing areas of Punjab conducted during 2012–2013 revealed wide range of leaf curl symptoms in addition to vein clearing, puckering, crinkling and stunting of the plants. incidence of leaf curl disease varied from 11 to 64 per cent maximum being in central zone of Sangrur and Patiala district of central zone, whereas, it was minimum in Ferozpur and Taranatran district of southwest zone. leaf curl severity was maximum during July-August than April-May due to white fly (Bemisia tabaci) population build up in June- July. Almost all the varieties/hybrids grown in this tract were susceptible to the chilli leaf curl complex. Though the disease incidence varied with the cultivar. The maximum disease incidence was observed in hybrid CH-1 and CH-3 (63–64%) whereas, it was minimum in hybrid Bio, Pepsi, MH1 and Soldier (13–17%).