Bell pepper

Viruses limit pepper production in most areas of the world where the vegetables are grown. This chapter discusses 20 viruses, out of more than 100 reported, that have caused losses to peppers. The summaries include geographic distribution of each virus, symptoms on pepper, transmission, host range, virus group, epidemiology, and management. Many of the viruses are vectored by insects, including aphids, whiteflies, leafhoppers, and thrips. Three of the viruses discussed are transmitted by sap mechanical transmission and not insects. The viruses that vectored by aphids in a nonpersistent manner are particularly difficult to manage. Insecticide sprays are not a recommended management tool for any of the viruses presented here.