Survey of viral pathogens affecting hot and sweet pepper in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh

Hot and sweet pepper is an economically important crop in tropical and subtropical regions, valued for its use as a vegetable, spice and herb. However, it is susceptible to various viral diseases, including hot and sweet pepper leaf curl disease (ChiLCD), which poses significant threats to crop yield worldwide. To assess the prevalence of ChiLCD in Anantapur district Andhra Pradesh, a roving field survey was conducted during the 2021-22 kharif season, covering 45 randomly selected fields across nine villages and eight mandals. The survey revealed an average incidence of leaf curl virus at 12%, with rate ranging from 6.0% to 25.0%. Further, 45 viral-infected chilli samples collected from various locations in Anantapur district were analyzed using DAC-ELISA and PCR to detect major viral pathogens affecting the crops. Among the samples, 26 were positive for begomoviruses via PCR, while DAC-ELISA identified 19 samples infected with potyviruses and tobamoviruses, including combinations of mixed infections. These findings underscore the critical need for integrated management approaches to reduce the prevalence of viral diseases in chilli crops and improve overall productivity and sustainability in Anantapur chilli cultivation.