Virus Diseases of Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) in Ethiopia

Viruses occurring in hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) in Ethiopia during 1984–1986 were identified and their symptomatology, host range, serology, morphology and transmission described. Potyviruses were found to cause severe infections of pepper wherever the crop was observed. Disease incidence and yield loss in most surveyed areas were estimated at 40–100 % and 15–50 %, respectively. Besides potato Y and pepper veinal mottle viruses, a new potyvirus with distinctive properties was found widely distributed in Shewa and Welega Provinces. The virus, tentatively designated Ethiopian pepper mottle virus (EPMV), was shown to have an unusually narrow experimental host range and filamentous particles about 700–750 nm in length, and to be nonpersis-tently transmitted by aphids but not transmissible through pepper seeds. Cucumber mosaic virus was detected in some locations, but appeared to be of minor significance.