Resistance Assessment to PHYVV and PepGMV in Wild and Domesticated Accessions of Capsicum annuum L. by Bioballistic Inoculation

Chili pepper (<i>Capsicum annuum</i> L.) is an economically important crop in Mexico, with a production that is limited by viral diseases caused by Begomovirus infections such as PHYVV and PepGMV, both transmitted by <i>Bemisia tabaci.</i> These viruses affect both domesticated cultivars and wild populations. The use of resistant genotypes is the most effective strategy to reduce Begomovirus incidence. Since no commercial cultivars with resistance are currently available, in this study, 15 <i>Capsicum annuum</i> accessions with different levels of domestication were inoculated separately with infectious PepGMV and PHYVV dimers by bioballistics, in order to identify sources of genetic resistance or tolerance to these viruses. Symptom progression (severity), incidence, the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC), and molecular detection of viral DNA by PCR were recorded in asymptomatic plants. PCR results with oligonucleotides targeting PepGMV and PHYVV showed that 96% of asymptomatic plants were positive, confirming that viral replication occurred without the development of visible symptoms. Significant differences were observed among accessions, with wild and semidomesticated accessions showing very low values of severity, incidence, and AUDPC. Notably, the wild accession Acc-106 exhibited resistance to PepGMV and tolerance to PHYVV, with minimum values of severity (0 and 0.13) and incidence (0% and 13%) at 35 days postinoculation.